- The Odisha government has decided to promote homestay facilities at nature trails and eco-spots
- 80 of these homestay facilities would be backed from the financial year 2021-22 for a period of 10 years
- These boarding houses will be linked with global online travel aggregators such as Airbnb, OYO, MakeMyTrip, amidst others
THoD Newsdesk, Odisha: In an effort to boost the tourism of the state, The Odisha government has decided to promote homestay facilities at nature trails and eco-spots. In a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy, the Tourism Department was directed to develop homestays in remote areas, which are devoid of regular hotels and ensure quality hospitality, hygiene and safety of the tourists at such accommodations.
It has also been decided that 80 of these homestay facilities would be backed from the financial year 2021-22 for a period of 10 years. Further, these boarding houses will be linked with global online travel aggregators such as Airbnb, OYO, MakeMyTrip, amidst others and onboarded to their respective sites, Tripathy added.
Development commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said, “Presently homestay facilities in Magalajodi in Khordha district and at Dangmala in Kendrapara district have shown encouraging results. Such facilities at other places will attract more tourists and will expand economic activities in the rural sector. It can be tapped as a sustainable source of livelihood and an income generation activity.”
Each homestay unit can rent out 1-6 rooms (upto 12 beds) to guests and the homestay facilities will be developed in the following areas:
- Diam-ond Triangle Buddhist circuit (Ratnagiri–Udayagiri–Lalitgiri)
- Onkadelli in Koraput district
- Khola, Gupti, Dangmala and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district
- Daringibadi and Belghar in Kandhamal
- Simlipal, Pithabata and Jashipur in Mayurbhanj
- Tikarpada and Satakosia in Angul district
- Magalajodi and Chilika in Khordha district
- Dhodrokusum and Zero point in Bargarh district
As per instructions, a room should be at least 120 sq ft in size for twin sharing with attached bathroom and toilet. There should be proper fan and air cooler arrangements, a kitchen, power back-up, pest control and first aid facilities in the home stay units.
Currently, the homestays in Magalajodi and Dangmala are showing positive results, which in turn are encouraging the setting up of such provisions at other rural places. It can be tapped as a sustainable source of livelihood and income generation activity, Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev stated.
