The Goa government has overhauled its Homestay Policy to empower rural communities, particularly women, by introducing a direct ₹2 lakh grant for setting up homestays, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced on Monday during the state assembly’s monsoon session. The amendment scraps the previous reimbursement-based model, which required upfront investment—a barrier for many rural households.

“The earlier policy demanded beneficiaries invest first and claim later, which was impractical for rural women,” Khaunte told reporters. “Based on their feedback, we’ve made the policy inclusive and empowering.” The revised scheme targets homestays with one to six lettable rooms within owners’ residences, focusing exclusively on non-coastal, non-urban talukas like Sattari, Dharbandora, Ponda, Bicholim, Sanguem, Quepem, and Canacona to preserve its rural focus. While registration is open statewide, financial incentives are restricted to these hinterland areas.

Rooted in women’s empowerment, the policy encourages women to manage homestays, fostering livelihood opportunities and cultural preservation. “This isn’t just about tourism inventory; it’s about giving rural women leadership in community-based tourism,” Khaunte said. The initiative aligns with Goa’s ‘Tourism 2.0’ vision of promoting sustainable, year-round tourism beyond beaches, emphasizing eco-tourism, spirituality, and cultural heritage.

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In its first phase, the scheme will support 100 homestays, with applications opening post the August 8 assembly session. The tourism department will leverage existing MoUs with Airbnb and MakeMyTrip to enhance visibility and provide training for hosts. Additional incentives include ₹1,000 registration fee reimbursement for the first year, 50% travel expense coverage (up to ₹50,000) for one domestic trade show, and furniture grants up to ₹2 lakh from empanelled vendors.

The policy, valid for five years, also aims to attract digital nomads, with Goa pushing for a central ‘digital nomad visa’ to boost long-stay tourism. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, at the policy’s 2023 launch, emphasized its role in job creation and showcasing Goa’s hinterland heritage. Local voices, like Barcem-Quedem Sarpanch Devidas Velip, hailed the initiative for enabling rural income through tourism, particularly for women.

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