Bengal Bringing out Homestay Tourism Policy: Official

Kolkata, Feb 5 (IANS) The West Bengal government is bringing out a homestay tourism policy to financially aid those who are interested in putting up travellers at their residences, a tourism department official said Thursday.

According to A.R. Bardhan, principal secretary of West Bengal's tourism department, the state government under the new policy could chip in to help homestay hosts to add extra rooms and toilets.

"At least, the government could chip in bringing up the toilet section. If some one invests Rs.1 lakh to construct a new room, then the state government can invest Rs.50,000 to add a toilet because tourists usually look for decent toilet facilities," Bardhan told IANS.

"It will come out in a couple of months," he said about the new policy.

Bardhan was speaking on the sidelines of the Destination East meet here organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Homestays allow travellers to board and lodge with locals and get a first-hand feel of the regional customs and culture. This gives an opportunity to the residents to earn a livelihood as well.

Bardhan said around 100 homestays have come up in the hamlets in north Bengal, particularly in the Dooars region (the floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in northeast India around Bhutan).

He also said the homestays are a hit with international tourists.