Tourism dept to start grant disbursal for homestays in 3 days

Panaji: The tourism department announced that it will commence the disbursal of grants under the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast scheme to women entrepreneurs in three days. The department plans to support 100 women beneficiaries this year under this scheme as part of an initiative to take tourism beyond the usual spots in Goa.

The department has identified Neerja Residency, Sattari, Cozy Home, Ponda, and Jungle Trails, Sancorda as the first beneficiaries under the scheme. Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte handed over the grant letters to the three women who operate these homestays as part of the Sewa Pakhwada programme.

The incentive is to aid homestays with expenditure on furniture and furnishings, which in turn will enable the homestays to standardise services on par with industry.

“Homestays don’t just support a home but they uplift entire village communities. Under the Homestay and Bed and Breakfast scheme, the three women who are felicitated will receive the grants of Rs 2 lakh in the coming three days,” Khaunte said.

The tourism department, along with the IT department, also felicitated 30 women innovators and entrepreneurs, including lifeguards, citizen service centres, and drone didis.