Hinterland focus: To boost Goa tourism, homestay scheme gets cabinet nod

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Panaji: The state cabinet on Friday approved the ‘Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme’ to incentivise tourism in the hinterland areas of Goa and promote govt’s vision of Goa beyond beaches.

The scheme encourages women and youth to engage in the tourism business, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The key objectives of the scheme are to streamline the registration process through ease of doing business facilities and to regulate the operation of homestays and B&Bs in the state.

The scheme aims to augment the supply of accommodation units to cater to the growing demand in the state and to enhance livelihood opportunities, up-skill, and create self-employment opportunities for rural residents and communities with high tourism potential in the hinterlands.

Other objectives include improving service delivery standards and ensuring the best quality of services and facilities for tourists. The scheme seeks to preserve Goa’s cultural ethos, natural landscape, cuisine, historical heritage, and traditional activities — and to introduce these facets to tourists.

The scheme also aims to preserve old houses and mansions with a unique Goan architectural blend.

The goal is to create a market for locally sourced goods and services, attract responsible tourists, and promote unique experiences through hinterland tourism in Goa.

The scheme aims to create jobs for rural women and youth in their villages and provide various partnerships and incentives in the seven talukas located in the hinterlands for the enhancement of the homestay and B&B ecosystem.

The primary focus of the scheme is to promote tourism in the hinterlands of the state. Hence, currently, the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives shall only apply to all existing or upcoming homestay and B&B establishments in Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Bicholim, Ponda, Quepem, and Canacona. The reimbursement shall be made after a period of one year of operations of a homestay/B&B facility, following inspections by officials of the department of tourism.