In a major push towards empowering rural women and promoting hinterland tourism, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte announced that Goa’s Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Policy is being amended to address key challenges faced by local communities. A direct grant of RS. 2 lakh will now be offered to eligible applicants to set up homestays replacing the earlier reimbursement-based model that posed financial hurdles for many rural households.
Addressing the media, Minister Khaunte said, “The original policy required beneficiaries to invest first and claim the amount later, which was not practical for women in rural households. Based on their feedback, we have made the necessary changes to ensure the policy is inclusive, accessible, and truly empowering.”
The revised policy applies to homestays with 1 to 6 lettable rooms within the owner’s residence, specifically in rural areas stretching from Pernem to Canacona. While registration is permitted across Goa, incentives will be limited to non-coastal, non-urban zones to ensure the policy’s rural focus is preserved.
Khaunte emphasised that the initiative is deeply rooted in women empowerment, as homestays will primarily be managed by the women of the household. “This is not just about adding inventory to our tourism ecosystem—it’s about creating livelihood opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and giving rural women a leadership role in community-based tourism,” he said.
The Department of Tourism will roll out the application process once the ongoing Assembly session concludes. In the initial phase, 100 homestays will be supported under the scheme. The department also plans to strengthen its existing MoUs with platforms like Airbnb and MakeMyTrip to promote these rural stays and improve their operational readiness.
“We are committed to ensuring the fair geographic spread of homestays so that benefits reach across Goa’s hinterlands. Through this, tourism will become more inclusive, and local communities will thrive as tourists engage more deeply with Goan life,” the Minister added.
This initiative forms part of the Government’s broader Regenerative Tourism vision, which seeks to restore, enrich, and empower Goa’s natural and cultural ecosystems through responsible tourism practices.
