West Bengal Government Launches Homestay Portal as Part of Comprehensive Tourism Development Strategy

PTI, Nov 5, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh on Thursday launched a government portal to regulate homestays at tourist spots and said his department had framed a comprehensive strategy to augment the travel industry, increase revenue and bolster employment opportunities in the sector.

Launching the portal, he said the BJP government was looking to create a database of all stakeholders in the state for a disciplined approach to the development and regulation of tourism.

The Tourism Department has been engaging with stakeholders, taking into consideration their advice and suggestions for the development of the travel industry, the minister said.

"We are looking to develop a disciplined tourism sector, which will increase revenue and employment opportunities."

Ghosh said his department had unveiled the Homestay Portal, in consonance with the theme of World Tourism Day 2026 -- "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism".

"It is a matter of pride for us to launch the portal on the same day as the unveiling of the state's industrial policy by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari," he said.

The minister said that the segregation of homestays from hotels, according to government norms, was being carried out through the launch of the homestay portal.

"Only those entities which are certified on the portal will be allowed to use the homestay nomenclature," he said.

There are 5,479 registered homestays in West Bengal, of which 2,679 are enlisted with the Tourism Department, Ghosh said, while pointing out that the total number of such facilities in the state could be much higher.

Regular vigilance and checking would be instituted to ensure there is no unauthorised use of the homestay nomenclature, he said.