MONDAY, JULY 01, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government launched the Caravan and Homestay Policy, at a function held at the Mantralaya, Porvorim on Tuesday.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye and Principal Secretary (Finance) Dr V Candavelou, IAS and other dignitaries were present.
The new Caravan policy launched by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is likely to entail operators to run recreational vans. It will also include setting up caravan parks where utilities, sanitation services, vehicle charging points, etc will be provided.
While, Homestay Policy is expected to outline guidelines to allow people to experience the local culture, traditions, festivals, cuisine by staying as guests in houses in rural Goa.
“Women entrepreneurs should take maximum benefit of the Homestay Policy,” Sawantsaid during the launch of the policies. He said the policies will help attract tourists to hinterland areas across the State and urged people to avail benefit of both the policies.
The policies will help to take tourists visiting the State to Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Sattari, Bicholim and Pernem talukas, he said.
The Chief Minister also informed that the government is mulling Adventure Tourism Policy to promote and regulate adventure tourism activities in the State.
The Department of Tourism has also signed an agreement with the AirBnB to jointly promote the State as one of the most sought-after high potential tourism destinations in the country and around the world, by upscaling the culture of homestays in the State. The partnership will also enhance the potential of tourism to create jobs and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local communities.
Sawant warned that the excise and other licenses of hotels found using touts to boost business will be suspended and cancelled. He informed that the excise licence of the hotel, which was recently found using touts to harass tourists will be suspended in next few days.
