Bhubaneswar: In a significant step to promote rural and sustainable tourism, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Thursday inaugurated the Go-Homestay portal, a dedicated digital platform under the Odisha Homestays Establishment Scheme-2025.
The launch took place during a state-level workshop designed to educate stakeholders on the scheme’s guidelines and rollout. The initiative seeks to empower rural households, women, and local entrepreneurs by turning homes into authentic tourist accommodations that showcase Odisha’s vibrant culture, traditions, and renowned hospitality.
Addressing the gathering, Parida emphasized that homestays go beyond basic lodging—they serve as cultural gateways for visitors. “The Go-Homestay portal will bring transparency, simplify processes, and make it easier for aspiring owners to start and operate,” she said.
This aligns with the government’s push for inclusive growth through tourism-driven development in underserved areas. The user-friendly portal streamlines the entire homestay lifecycle: online applications, document submission, real-time tracking, approvals, visitor management, and compliance checks. It supports sustainable practices by focusing on lesser-known rural destinations, offering travelers genuine, immersive experiences while generating local livelihoods.
The workshop included detailed presentations on scheme operations, a live demo of the portal by technical experts, and insights from industry figures like representatives from Homestays of India and Svanir Wilderness Homestay. Experienced operators shared success stories and best practices, followed by discussions on district-level roles and an implementation roadmap.
Key attendees included Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism; Deepankar Mohapatra, Director of Tourism; Monica Priyadarshini, State Mission Director-cum-CEO of OLM; district officials; financial institution representatives; PRI members; and homestay operators.
Officials highlighted that the portal will enhance oversight, promote eco-friendly tourism, and position Odisha as a leader in community-led hospitality, benefiting both hosts and guests in the years ahead.
