PANAJI
The Delhi government is taking cues from Goa’s recently notified Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Policy as it will revive its own long-dormant Bed & Breakfast (B&B) scheme, which Delhi officials admit has become ineffective amid the rise of Airbnb and other private platforms.
As of 2023, Delhi had 432 registered B&B establishments offering over 2,200 rooms. However, the official programme struggled to compete with new-age online alternatives.
“The scheme has become defunct. The increasing number of Airbnb and homestay options has rendered it ineffective. We are now looking at reviving it and are studying Goa’s Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Policy to see what can be adapted for Delhi,” a senior Delhi government official said.
Officials further noted that Goa’s structured model with its focus on rural inclusion, ease of registration, and targeted incentives could serve as a blueprint for reform.
“Goa’s policy has been praised for generating business for homestays. Niti Aayog had also recommended that other states adopt similar models,” the official added.
Goa’s Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme, notified in August this year, is part of the State’s push to expand tourism beyond beaches and foster sustainable rural development. The policy offers fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to homestay operators in seven hinterland talukas of Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Bicholim, Ponda, Quepem, and Canacona.
It seeks to promote women and youth entrepreneurship, simplify registration through the Ease of Doing Business framework, and standardise services to improve the visitor experience. The policy also encourages the restoration of traditional Goan homes and mansions, promotes local cuisine and culture, and builds markets for community-based tourism.
As per the Goa Tourism Department, the scheme’s goals include boosting rural livelihoods, enhancing service quality, and increasing accommodation supply to meet rising demand. “The intention is to preserve Goa’s cultural identity while ensuring economic benefits reach hinterland communities,” the department had recently said.
The scheme, valid for five years, allows the Department to extend its validity based on performance and uptake.
