The Goa Tourism Department will begin disbursing grants under the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme to women entrepreneurs within the next three days. This year, the Department aims to support 100 women beneficiaries as part of its push to promote tourism beyond conventional hotspots in the state. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte handed over grant letters to the first three beneficiaries—Neerja Residency, Sattari; Cozy Home, Ponda; and Jungle Trails, Sancorda—during the ongoing Sewa Pakhwada programme. “Homestays don’t just sustain a household—they uplift entire village communities,” Khaunte said, adding that the initiative will strengthen community-led tourism while empowering women. In addition, the Tourism and IT departments jointly felicitated 30 women innovators and entrepreneurs, including lifeguards, citizen service centres, and drone operators, recognising their contributions to Goa’s economy and tourism ecosystem.