Industry Odisha Bureau, May 28: To attract tourists by promoting local art, culture and food, the Odisha Government has asked 16 districts to implement Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme-2025 at their areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in March inaugurated the Go-Homestay portal to promote community-led tourism across the State.
However, the success of the scheme largely depends upon the proactive involvement of the Chairman and Members of the District Level Homestay Committee in effectively discharging their roles and responsibilities as prescribed in the Operational Guidelines of the Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme-2025, officials said.
Therefore, the Tourism Department asked the ADM and Chairman District Level Homestay Committees (DLHCs) of Balasore, Bargarh, Cuttack, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jajpur, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Khordha, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur & Sundergarh to implement the scheme.
The ADMs were asked to take necessary steps for generating awareness among people residing in the notified Gram Panchayats, PRI members, and officials of various departments such as Panchayat Samiti, Revenue Department, ICDS, ITDA, etc, working at the Gram Panchayat and Block levels, as well as NGOs and other stakeholders.
The officers were also asked to closely monitor the cluster-wise status of application submissions on a weekly basis and provide necessary guidance and support to officials and interested beneficiaries.
The government further instructed them to take suitable steps for registration of all existing homestays in the respective districts under the Non-Financial Category.
Officials said that the Go-Homestay Portal promotes transparency, accessibility, and ease of doing business for aspiring homestay owners.
In a first, rustic community-managed homestay facilities were set up at Dhodrokusum in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Located at the foothills of Debrigarh and overlooking the scenic Hirakud wetland, the new facility features five mud-and-clay homestay rooms run entirely by three local forest-dependent families.
The initiative is aimed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while turning villagers into key custodians of wildlife and habitat conservation in one of the state’s most sensitive ecological landscapes.
All five homestay units have been built using traditional materials such as natural clay, mud, cow dung, husk and earthen tiles, and are equipped with modern furnishings, attached bathrooms, water and power backup, a children’s play area, and an outdoor fireplace.
Every article inside the rooms, from decor to utility items, has been handcrafted by local artisans with a distinctive Sambalpuri touch. Visitors can book through ecotourodisha.com and will receive inclusive stay-and-food packages.
