Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida officially launched the Go-Homestay Portal at LYFE Hotel in Bhubaneswar on March 5, 2026.
This digital initiative serves as a core component of the Odisha Homestays Establishment Scheme–2025, which aims to transform the tourism landscape by integrating local communities into the hospitality sector.
Administrative leadership was represented by Shri Balwant Singh, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Tourism.
The event featured a state-level workshop designed to brief stakeholders on the new scheme’s implementation. During the session, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that homestays act as more than just lodging; they are vital cultural links that allow visitors to experience Odisha’s heritage and hospitality firsthand. She emphasized that the portal is intended to simplify business operations for rural families and women entrepreneurs.
Shri Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Tourism, played a key role among the high-level officials present at the inauguration of the Go-Homestay Portal here.
His presence, alongside the Deputy Chief Minister and the Director of Tourism, underscores the administrative weight being put behind the Odisha Homestays Establishment Scheme–2025. Secretary Tourism Shri Singh is overseeing Odisha Tourism strategy to ensure the scheme meets its goals for inclusive growth.
Other key attendees included Tourism Director Shri Deepankar Mohapatra and Smt. Monica Priyadarshini, the CEO of the Odisha Livelihoods Mission, alongside district officials and financial representatives.
A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to the operational side of the scheme. Technical teams provided a walkthrough of the Go-Homestay Portal, which facilitates online registration, document submission, and visitor management.
Industry experts from Homestays of India and Svanir Wilderness Homestay contributed their insights, while current homestay owners discussed practical success stories.
The day ended with a roadmap for district-level rollout, focusing on how local governments will support homeowners in meeting the scheme’s quality and safety standards.