Odisha Unveils Go-Homestay Portal

Bhubaneswar:5/3/26:Odisha has launched the Go-Homestay Portal, a dedicated online platform to streamline the registration, management, and promotion of homestays under the Odisha Homestays Establishment Scheme–2025.

This initiative, inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on March 5, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, aims to boost community-based tourism, empower rural households, women, and local entrepreneurs, and provide tourists with authentic cultural experiences through Odisha’s warm hospitality and traditions.

The portal promotes transparency, accessibility, and ease of doing business for aspiring homestay owners by enabling online applications, document uploads, tracking, approvals, visitor management, and compliance monitoring. It aligns with the state’s vision of inclusive growth and sustainable tourism development, particularly in rural and lesser-known areas.

The launch event, held at LYFE Hotel, coincided with a state-level workshop to sensitise stakeholders on the scheme’s provisions and implementation. The workshop included presentations on operational guidelines, a portal demonstration by the technical team, expert sessions from Homestays of India and Svanir Wilderness Homestay representatives, and panel discussions featuring experienced homestay owners sharing best practices and success stories.

Discussions concluded with an action plan, district-level responsibilities, and closing remarks.

Key attendees included Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism; Deepankar Mohapatra, Director, Tourism; Monica Priyadarshini, State Mission Director-cum-CEO, OLM; district officials; financial institution representatives; PRI members; homestay owners; and experts.