West Bengal Launches Digital Homestay Portal to Regulate Sector

The West Bengal Tourism Department has officially launched a statewide homestay portal to streamline the registration and certification of homestay units across the state. According to Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, the initiative is designed to create a disciplined tourism sector by segregating homestays from hotels and ensuring that only certified entities use the 'homestay' nomenclature in their advertising and signage. The portal aims to bring the application, inspection, and certification processes online, creating a verified database for the state's 5,479 existing homestay properties, of which 2,679 are currently registered with the government. This digital move aligns with the state's broader strategy to enhance tourism infrastructure and boost employment opportunities, as highlighted during the launch on 5 November 2026. The government also plans to integrate homestay and state-run tourist lodge bookings into a single platform to improve visitor accessibility. This development follows the recent announcement of the West Bengal Investment Promotion Policy, 2026, which provides targeted support for the tourism and hospitality sector to accelerate economic growth.