PANAJI
The Tourism Department has proposed to further amend the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982, introducing a new category, "Other Accommodation/Homestay/Bed and Breakfast," and has been kept open for public suggestion and/or objection for 30 days.
The draft rules, known as the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Rules, 2023, include a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) establishments category. As per the rules, these establishments should be the ones where the owner or its promoter does not reside in the said property, but an agent or operator, designated by the owner/promoter resides in the premises to provide necessary services to their visitors.
These establishments should consist of at least one room or a maximum of six rooms or twelve beds, for the purpose of letting.
The B&B will cost Rs 4000 for Gold/Silver categories wherein Homestays cost Rs 1000 for Gold/Silver and Heritage Home Establishment Rs 4000.
This follows Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte’s plan for 100 homestays under the Homestay Bed & Breakfast Policy, offering Rs 2 lakh reimbursement for furniture expenses from vendors approved by the Department of Handicraft, Textile & Coir.
Establishments operational for a year and registered with the Tourism Department can get Rs 1,000 reimbursement in the inaugural year of the policy as the initiative aims to boost rural tourism.
The department has further sought public suggestions or objections for a period of 30 days, so that these may be taken into consideration at the time of finalisation of the draft rules.
