Goa government unveils home stay, caravan policies to provide ‘beyond the beach’ experience to tourists

Panaji: The Goa tourism department has rolled out home stay and caravan policies aimed at attracting tourists with the promise of a ‘beyond the beach’ experience to explore the coastal state, which will also boost the income of locals.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the home stay policy will mainly benefit people living in Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Sattari, Bicholim and Pernem talukas.

“This policy also gives scope for women entrepreneurs as it aims to take tourists to the hinterland. We have seen that tourists prefer to stay in rural areas, especially during the rainy season,” he said, adding that the caravan policy would help travelers. Will also get help in moving around. Goa in a better way.

Policies provide incentives for the creation of infrastructure for home living and parking caravans – purpose-built vehicles used for travel, leisure and accommodation.

Speaking on the occasion, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that when tourists visit rural areas, they understand the culture and heritage of the state, and also experience its cuisine. “Tourists start discovering things that they have not seen in the past,” Khaunte said. He said that both the policies will remain in force for five years.

He said the first 100 home stays can enjoy incentives like a grant of Rs 2 lakh to upgrade the necessary infrastructure. “Additional incentives like waiving electricity and water charges, waiving off registration fees etc. have been given to households with domestic connections,” the tourism minister said.

Khaunte also said that the tourism department will provide high-speed internet for home stays.

Speaking about the caravan policy, he said that facilities would be created in the beach belt for parking of caravans. Such parking facilities will also be created in rural parts of the state so that tourists can enjoy the lush green forests.

The minister said that under this policy, a fund of Rs 20 lakh will be provided as subsidy to create infrastructure for caravan parking.