The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, recently hosted an Awareness and Training Programme on its Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme at Novotel Goa Panaji. The programme, especially designed for existing and aspiring homestay owners, placed strong emphasis on enabling women to participate and thrive as entrepreneurs in Goa’s growing tourism sector.

The event was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony and saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik, Managing Director of GTDC Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Director of IT Department Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Public Policy Head India at Airbnb Smt. Asmita Joshi, and SEWA Senior Coordinator Shri Tejas Raval.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted Goa’s vision of “Tourism Beyond Beaches”. He emphasized that tourism must create livelihoods in villages, with women at the forefront:

“Women are the backbone of every home and society. The Homestay Scheme is a step towards empowering them—with 100 women receiving grants of ₹2 lakh each to start their own homestays. Goa’s unmatched culinary heritage is a magnet for tourists, and women, as ambassadors of tourism, can help make Goa the culinary capital of India.”

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, added that the initiative goes beyond promoting destinations, aiming instead to strengthen Goa’s economy and local communities. By enabling rural women to build infrastructure for homestays, the state is ensuring both authentic cultural experiences for visitors and sustainable livelihoods for locals.

The event was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony and saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik, Managing Director of GTDC Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Director of IT Department Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Public Policy Head India at Airbnb Smt. Asmita Joshi, and SEWA Senior Coordinator Shri Tejas Raval.

As part of the felicitation, recognitions were presented to Jungle Trails owner Janki Rama Samkar (Tambdi Surla) and Cozy Homes owner Sonia Roy Saldanha (Ponda) for their contributions to homestay tourism.

The Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme covers talukas such as Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Bicholim, Ponda, Quepem, and Canacona. The objective is clear: bring tourism benefits into hinterland villages while preserving culture, traditions, and natural beauty. Beyond income generation, the scheme fosters self-reliance, women empowerment, and authentic Goan hospitality.

The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Smt. Diksha Namdev Tari, appreciating the contributions of dignitaries, partners, and participants who helped shape the initiative into a meaningful step forward for Goa’s tourism ecosystem.

Goa Tourism

Goa Tourism

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