To promote state tourism, Naveen Patnaik run  Odisha government has decided to promote homestay facilities at nature trails and eco-tourism spots. In a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Monday, the decision to provide the homestay facilities from the financial year 2021-22 for a period of 10 years was made. The reports says, Tripathy ordered the tourism department to develop homestay facilities in the remote areas untouched by the hotel network highlighting the treasure of nature tourism in Odisha. “Nature trail and experiential tourism is the current fad and Odisha has much to offer in this sector,” said the Secretary. As per the order, the officials has to ensure good quality hospitality, hygiene and safety of the tourists at the homestay facilities. 
Global online travel agencies such as Airbnb, Oyo, MakeMyTrip etc. can link the facilities with them and onboard the tourists. The Chief Secretary who feels the homestay will promote local entrepreneurship, asked the tourism, forest and environment departments to train the local homestay unit owners and field level officials to best provide the cultural, cuisine and social experiences to the tourists. Homestay Development Commissioner, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, said, “At present, homestay facilities in Magalajodi and Dangmala show encouraging results. Such facilities at other places will attract more tourists and expand economic activities in the rural sector. It can be tapped as a sustainable source of livelihood and for income generation activity.” 

The spots in first priority list includes Diamond Triangle Buddhist Circuit (Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri); Onkadelli in Koraput district; Khola, Gupti, Dangmala, Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district; Daringibadi, Belghar in Kandhamal district; Simlipal, Pithabata, Jashipur in Mayurbhanj district; Tikarpada, Satakosia in Angul district; Magalajodi, Chilika in Khordha district; and Dhodrokusum, Zero Point in Bargarh district. Each homestay unit can rent out one to six rooms (up to 12 beds) to tourists. Government plans to provide incentives to atleast 80 homestay providers a year. 

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