The Goa Tourism Department will begin disbursing grants under its Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme to women entrepreneurs within the next three days, aiming to support 100 beneficiaries this year. The initiative is part of the state’s strategy to promote tourism beyond conventional hotspots and encourage community-driven experiences.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte handed over the first grant letters to three beneficiaries Neerja Residency (Sattari), Cozy Home (Ponda), and Jungle Trails (Sancorda) during the ongoing Sewa Pakhwada programme. Each homestay will receive a INR.2 lakh grant to cover expenses for furniture and furnishings, helping standardise services to industry levels.
“Homestays don’t just sustain a household they uplift entire village communities,” Khaunte said, highlighting the scheme’s role in empowering women and strengthening community-led tourism.
As part of the programme, the Tourism and IT departments also felicitated 30 women innovators and entrepreneurs, including lifeguards, citizen service centres, and drone operators, acknowledging their contributions to Goa’s economy and tourism ecosystem.
With this initiative, Goa aims to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and community-oriented tourism model while empowering women entrepreneurs across the state.
