Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa Tourism Department has rolled out a Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme aimed at empowering women in the state’s hinterland, offering them grants of ₹2 lakh each to start their own ventures and showcase Goa’s cultural and culinary heritage beyond its beaches.
The scheme was highlighted during an Awareness and Training Programme held at Novotel Goa Panaji on Thursday, attended by Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, Tourism Director Kedar Naik, GTDC Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar, and representatives from Airbnb, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), and the IT Department.
Khaunte said the initiative would initially focus on rural talukas such as Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Bicholim, Ponda, Quepem, and Canacona, with plans to extend it to urban areas. “Women are the backbone of every home and society, and the Homestay Scheme is a step towards empowering them,” he said. “Our aim is to make Goa the culinary capital of India by combining our unmatched flavours with authentic village experiences.”
The programme featured training sessions on marketing, operations, and digital tools, along with success stories from veteran homestay owners, including Meeta Parmar from Gujarat, who has been in the business for 25 years. Local entrepreneurs Janki Rama Samkar of Jungle Trails, Tambdi Surla, and Sonia Roy Saldanha of Cozy Homes, Ponda, were felicitated.
Tourism Director Kedar Naik said the scheme was designed to strengthen the economy while preserving local traditions. “We want tourists to experience Goa’s villages, culture, and heritage, and women in rural areas will be central to building the infrastructure that enables it,” he noted.
By converting portions of their homes into tourist stays, women in Goa’s hinterland will gain sustainable income sources, preserve traditional hospitality, and draw visitors to the state’s lesser-known cultural landscapes.
