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NDTV
01-08-2025
- NDTV
Goa Has An Unregulated Homestay Problem: How I Listed An Airbnb In Goa With A Noida Address
Goa is one of India's most sought-after tourist destinations, but the rise in footfall is coming at a significant cost. The state is already grappling with overcrowding, pressure on infrastructure and environmental damage and now there's another item on the growing list of concerns: the proliferation of unregistered homestays. What "Unregistered homestays being operated from residential units purchased by people from Delhi and other states are being misused for renting out to tourists," said Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Monday, July 28, calling these illegal rentals a serious "concern" for Goa's tourism industry. The matter was raised in the Legislative Assembly during Zero Hour by BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who represents Calangute. Lobo pointed out that several properties, initially purchased as 'second homes' inside residential complexes during Covid, especially by people in 'Delhi', are now being misused as short-term rentals. These are not only unregistered but also listed on online platforms, bringing in what he called "unruly" tourists and disrupting the lives of regular residents, according to him. More Homes Listed Than Legally Registered According to data shared in the Assembly last year (as reported by Indian Express), only 230 homestays and Bed and Breakfast establishments were officially registered with the Department of Tourism. The number of registered hotels stood at 7,538. But that's far from the complete picture. A quick online search revealed over 1,000 homestays currently listed across travel platforms like MakeMyTrip and Airbnb - far more than what is officially accounted for. Experts and officials believe the ease of listing properties on platforms like Airbnb is a major reason owners are bypassing the registration process altogether. We Created A Fake Airbnb Listing In Less Than 10 Minutes So, just how easy is it to become a host on Airbnb? Turns out, absurdly easy. We decided to test it ourselves, and in less than 10 minutes, we were proud (and slightly horrified) owners of a completely fictional listing in Goa. Our imaginary rental? A one-bedroom, three-bathroom villa with a hot tub, the kind of place that screams scam. After downloading the Airbnb app, we flipped it to 'host mode', signed in with our Gmail, and got to work. We fed in some completely made-up details, and for location, we chose a quiet corner of Borim in Goa, using Airbnb's own inbuilt map suggestions. A few taps later, our non-existent room had a pin on the map, and it wasn't even the weirdest part. We then uploaded a set of wildly unrelated photos, a few skyline shots from Delhi NCR, the ceiling of our office, our laptop, and even a photo of an unrelated hotel property we found verification, the platform asked for a selfie and a government ID. We used our colleague's face and their PAN card, and... it worked. For our final step, where they asked for our final address, which we added our Noida address, and the property was listed minutes later. Our final listing address. We half-expected someone to call for verification, but nope. Within minutes, our questionable listing was live and ready for bookings. No phone calls. No follow-up. No red flags. Our listing was live. If we, with a made-up house and completely bogus documents, could make it on to the platform this easily, it's not hard to see why so many others are skipping the formal registration process. And available for booking! More worryingly, this opens up the floodgates for scams, with fake hosts, fake properties, and potentially very real victims. This isn't just a Goan glitch either. Similar Problems Across The Globe In Europe, Spain has been wrestling with a similar problem. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid have become cautionary tales, overrun by illegal Airbnb rentals that have pushed out locals, distorted housing markets, and frustrated authorities. This rapid expansion of Airbnb listings has been identified as a leading cause behind soaring rents and a shortage of homes available for local residents. In response, last month the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings that violated accommodation laws, with immediate effect on thousands and more removals to follow. Moreover, new rules now require all short-term rental listings to clearly display valid license or registration numbers and clarify their ownership status. The Next Steps To tackle the homestay problem, the government will be taking strict action. BJP MLA Michael Lobo, during the session, urged the government to take firm action against unauthorised homestays and strictly enforce registration norms to safeguard local communities. According to Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the department is now actively monitoring listings on online platforms and has made it mandatory for all hotels and guest houses to be registered with the department. "These homes are now being used as rental units for tourists, and we have no data on them. We are losing business to unregulated and unregistered guest houses," Khaunte said. The government is also encouraging cooperative societies to remain vigilant and report illegal stays via a toll-free number: 1364. In December 2023, they also introduced the Homestay and Bed and Breakfast Policy that aimed at bringing uniform standards to the sector, ensuring proper registration of properties, and increasing accountability for those operating homestays. With these proactive steps, Goa hopes to strike a balance, supporting tourism while also protecting the rights of residents and preserving the charm that brings people to the state in the first place. But technology is not making it easier. What lays in the future for tourism in Goa, only time can tell. For now, if you come across our (fictional) property on Airbnb in Goa, please swipe left.
Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Goa tourism minister's latest grievance: ‘People from Delhi… who bought second homes here during Covid'
'Unregistered homestays' being operated from residential units purchased by people from Delhi and other states are being misused for renting out to tourists, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Monday said, flagging these as a 'concern' for the state's tourism sector. The issue was raised during Zero Hour in the legislative assembly by BJP MLA Michael Lobo. Lobo, who represents Calangute constituency, said that many units that were originally purchased as 'second homes' within residential complexes are being illegally leased out for holiday rentals through the online aggregators, alleging that they often attract 'unruly' tourists and cause inconvenience to residents. 'There is a growing concern among Goans regarding illegal homestays in buildings and unregistered homes and estates. This unregulated activity is causing anxiety among the residents and raising concerns of safety, security and infrastructure strain. In buildings, if there are 50 flats, ten are given on rent for short-term holidays. No one keeps a track of who moves in and out. They drink in the common spaces [of the building complex]…play loud music,' Lobo said. Lobo added, 'I urge the government to take decisive action to crackdown against unauthorised homestays and ensure strict enforcement of registration norms and protect the interests of residents.' Tourism Minister Khaunte said the department is actively monitoring accommodations listed on online travel agency platforms to ensure they are registered with the authorities. 'We are keeping a regular watch on accommodations listed on online travel agencies. The government has ensured that all the inventory of hotel rooms and guest houses is registered with the tourism department. The issue is…that people from Delhi and other places who bought second homes here during Covid. Tourists come and stay in those homes and residential buildings. We have no details of these registrations. This is a serious issue because we are losing business [to unregulated and unregistered guest houses],' he said. He said that 'many second homes and residential buildings are being misused for tourist stays without informing the authorities.' 'The people who come to these second homes and operate them as tourist accommodations often do so without proper registration. This needs to be addressed on priority,' said Khaunte. The Minister said the government will work towards finding a sustainable solution that protects the interests of both residents and the tourism sector. Khaunte added, 'The Registrar of Cooperative Societies should be taken into confidence. Societies must remain alert and are encouraged to call the tourism department's toll-free number 1364 to report unregulated stays. The department is in continuous coordination with municipalities and panchayats to address this issue.' Goa government notified the 'Homestay and Bed and Breakfast Policy' to standardise services to tourists through homestays and Bed and Breakfast [B&Bs] establishments in December 2023. The objective of the policy was to streamline registration and to regulate the operation of homestays and B&Bs and augment the supply of accommodation units to cater to the growing demand in the state. Its primary focus was intended to promote tourism in the hinterland talukas of the state. According to data shared in the assembly last year, at least 230 homestays and Bed and Breakfast establishments have been registered with the Department of Tourism in the state.
Eater
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
How an Eater Editor Spends a Dreamy Weekend on South Korea's Jeju Island
'The one thing you'll notice is that it's really windy,' my mother said as we took off from Seoul's Gimpo Airport this past spring. We were on our way to Jeju, the island destination off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, accompanied by my wife and 2-year-old son. It was my first time visiting the island, but my mom had been half a dozen times with my dad before he passed away in 2021; they went whenever they wanted a break from bustling Seoul, where they were both born, or from Southern California, where they moved in the 1970s. It was the ultimate getaway. Though I'd traveled throughout South Korea, Jeju always felt like a fabled land, sunny and warm at times, rainy and blustery at others, but endlessly romantic. It's easily the most popular vacation spot for South Koreans. The flight route between Seoul and Jeju carries the most passengers in the world; on any given day, a plane takes off every seven to eight minutes. Jeju's fame outside of South Korea has grown recently with shows like Hyori's Bed and Breakfast (a super-chill reality show about people staying at the K-Pop star's actual vacation home) and Netflix's When Life Gives You Tangerines , a sappy coming-of-age drama starring yet another pop star, IU. The culinary nods in those series titles give a hint to the island's famed food. Surrounded by a bountiful ocean, Jeju depends heavily on seafood. Haenyeo, legendary free-diving women, hunt for abalone, urchins, and sea snails; they've developed an international reputation thanks to Japanese Breakfast singer Michelle Zauner, who wrote a song about them, and Eater's own James Beard-nominated coverage, but they also embody the resilience of Jeju culture against the mainland (even my mom has difficulty understanding their dialect). A distinct, moderate climate and eons of activity by the island's towering volcano, Mount Halla, have also made Jeju a fruitful place for raising all manner of agriculture and livestock, namely pigs. One long weekend isn't enough time to fully experience the island, which is about the size of Maui and requires up to an hour to drive across in any direction. Because we stayed at the towering Grand Hyatt in Jeju City instead of the more popular southern city of Seogwipo, most of our adventures were inland and scattered across the Western side. No matter where you stay or visit, the island provides opportunities to eat well in virtually every corner. There are cute cafes for matcha- or coffee-tinted drinks, homestyle restaurants offering bubbling stews and banchan, sleek barbecue spots serving Jeju black pig sliced over tabletop grills, seafood establishments turning out all manner of raw, grilled, and braised shellfish and fish, and rustic markets selling pristine produce and fried street food. The island abounds with incredible food, so trips long or short will include plenty of highlights. Note: The easiest way to get around is by rental car, which requires an international driver's license. Addresses for each venue below are presented in Korean so they can be plopped into a Korean-language navigation app like Naver. After a day of travel from LA (and a day lost to the time difference), we were in desperate need of a comforting, traditional Korean meal as soon as we landed on Jeju. We walked half a block behind the Grand Hyatt for a quiet mid-afternoon meal at Modajeong Haejangguk, a mom-and-pop restaurant filled with weathered tables, mismatched fans, and air conditioners. After reviewing the compact menu posted on the wall, we nibbled on nine types of banchan (including kimchi, lightly dressed soft tofu, candied anchovies, potato salad, and bean sprouts) until our meals arrived. After a long trip, nothing hits better than seolleongtang (profoundly sustaining beef bone soup) or haejangguk (a thrilling hangover cure with wilted cabbage leaves and chunks of coagulated pork blood). We also ordered godeungeo gui: pan-fried, extra-long mackerel (also called Korean seerfish) that boasted a luxurious texture, oily but not the least bit fishy. We scarfed down the fish, which were roasted a golden brown and served on an iron plate, until we'd picked the last bit of flesh from the bones. South Korea is more known for its dismal birthrate than its amenities for children, but when the country does have something for kids, it's world-class. The Arte Kids Park, a 20-minute drive from Jeju City, offers an immersive and extremely clean play experience for little ones. Upstairs, there's an adorable elementary school-style cafeteria with snacks, where we ordered a simple bowl of udon in odeng (fish cake) broth for our 2-year-old. Other dishes include jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), tonkatsu, corn dogs, and fried rice. My favorite part was the well-organized array of utensils, metal cups, and other eating materials tucked into heated cases to protect against germs. A lot of play spaces I've experienced in America are kind of gross, so seeing this pristine haven in Jeju was itself a marvel (and the udon noodles were pretty tasty too). Address: 929 Wolgak-ro, Aewol-eup, 특별자치도, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea After leaving Arte Kids Park, our son fell asleep, which meant I needed to find myself a grown-up meal. Jeju's famous black pigs provide the island with ingredients for some of the best pork dishes in South Korea. I found this tiny roadside spot popular with golfers, and while my wife stayed with our son in the car, I bopped into the restaurant for a quick bowl of dwaeji guksu. The milky broth was sweet from the pork bones, making a great medium for simple wheat noodles and bite-sized pork belly slices. A tangle of sliced Korean scallions brought in a heady allium aroma, while seasoned radish shoots and short-fermented kimchi acted as the only sides. It reminded me a bit of Hakata-style ramen, with slightly chewy thin noodles and bites of meaty pork, and the simple broth was my favorite part. I spied a bottle of Jeju tangerine-flavored makgeoli in the fridge and wished I didn't have to drive, but otherwise it was a satisfying lunch just off the main highway. Address: 방문자 리뷰 86블로그 리뷰 15 I made it a point to try the popular galchi (belt fish, aka largehead hairtail), a silvery swordlike creature with elegant, flaky flesh. This popular seafood restaurant near the coast serves a twofer of spicy braised belt fish and whole-grilled belt fish. The braised version, also called jorim, comes in a big steel stainless box containing whole abalones, chopped octopus, rounds of radish, rice cakes, shrimp, and onions; a camping stove placed underneath the box keeps the fiery red chile broth simmering, reducing the liquid to a thick, sweet, salty, spicy sauce. Admittedly, eating belt fish requires picking out dozens of tiny bones, but it's worth the effort. The grilled version, which tastes of Dover sole, is a little easier to handle. Banchan of well-fermented kimchi, tiny anchovies, and even ganjang gaejang (raw soy-marinated crab) provide punches of umami between the spicy braised fish and the pan-grilled variant. Address: 제주 제주시 도리로 50 2층 The Five Day Folk Market in Jeju City opens on days ending in 2 or 7 (so each month on the second, seventh, 12th, and so on). We happened to catch it on a Sunday, when we had to fight for a free parking spot before entering. Walk through the sprawling semi-covered emporium for all manner of food, produce, clothing, and electronics. We picked up multiple varieties of Jeju gamgyul (tangerines), which lived up to their reputation as the finest citrus in the world, even out of peak season. The main hallabong variety is excellent — fragrant, sweet, tangy, and balanced — while the cheonhyehyang variety has thinner skin but a juicy flavor that's so sweet it hurts your teeth. We also snacked on piping hot hotteok: molten sugar-filled pancakes fried in butter. Just before heading out, we picked up a ketchup-laced corn dog fresh out of the fryer: a smoky, meaty wiener in a panko crust that was far better than anything at an American theme park. Osulloc is a big touristy tea farm and museum with a slick retail cafe serving matcha drinks and desserts. The day we went, the place seemed almost overrun. The classic steeped tea — brewed for exactly two minutes according to a tiny hourglass timer — was my favorite, a mellow, toasty sip whose aromas were amplified by the gourd-sized cup. On the more saccharine side, a cream-topped wedge of moist green tea cake was cut into a shape meant to recall Jeju's Mount Halla, while swirled soft serve ice cream blended yet more matcha with a simple sweet cream. The white-and-brown boricaeyeok spanner (green tea matcha floated over sweet barley tea) was probably the one to skip. After overloading on sugar, we headed to the tea fields for photo ops. My son found it hilarious to run through lanes of tea bushes that were too narrow for adults to chase him. Address: 15 Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Andeok-myeon, 특별자치도, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea Of all our meals on Jeju, I was most excited to try the island's famed black pigs, designated a heritage breed in 2015. Chef Hoon Song of Crown Pig carefully butchers the best-quality pigs and ages them to amplify their distinct, tender flavor, before lightly smoking the pork in applewood and oak. His somewhat isolated restaurant looks like a traditional Korean barbecue spot, with tables centered around steel pan grills, where servers handle most of the cooking. We opted for the Combination C, which comes with a pork tomahawk, arm shoulder, pork belly, and Boston butt for 99,000 won (about $70). Servers snip the rich, glistening pork with scissors as it cooks on the pan, allowing some fat to run off but keeping plenty of fatty chunks on the meat. Taking a bite, there's a gentle whiff of smoke followed by the most ethereal, tender pork that almost crumbles on the palate. The sensation isn't that different from a well-seared piece of wagyu beef, but with a juicy porcine sweetness that's distinct from almost all American pork. (There simply is no equal, and I'll fight someone on that.) The experience is heightened with chopstick dabs of ssamjang (fermented bean paste), grated wasabi, fine sea salt, and gochujang that add bursts of savory flavor. We wrapped our bites in fresh green lettuce or mounds of shredded scallions dressed in a red chile sauce. Korean barbecue might be known more globally for its tabletop grilled beef, but Jeju pork might better represent the spiritual zenith of the genre. Address: 특별자치도, 애월읍 애월읍 상가목장길 84 After a few days eating through South Korea's favored vacation destination, there's nothing better than strolling through a well-organized Korean supermarket for snacks to take home. Anyone who's enjoyed visiting a Korean grocery store in the U.S. should check out a Lotte Emart in South Korea. The location in Jeju City has some handy and affordable souvenirs to take home, including tangerine-flavored confections that are unique to Jeju. While you can find soju bottles from the more industrial brands like Jinro or Chamisul for around a dollar, there are also more expensive beverages, like the Asia-only crystal bottle of Suntory Kakubin blended whisky, which reminds me of Bill Murray in Lost in Translation ('For relaxing times…'). The hot foods section had handmade dumplings, pan-fried and boiled, while all manner of kimchi (napa cabbage, garlic chives, etc.) were displayed in the refrigerated areas. Those wouldn't necessarily travel well (though my mom likes to bring huge bundles of fresh banchan back to LA), but the rows of Korean candies (Koreans are particularly good at making coffee-flavored hard candies), chocolates, crispy snacks, and other sweets certainly would. Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 탑동로 38 See More:
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
U.P. cabinet decision: Homestay, bed & breakfast policy cleared
The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the Uttar Pradesh Bed and Breakfast (B and B) and Homestay Policy 2025 to improve services and provide better options for stay to the pilgrims and tourists in the state. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the meeting of the state cabinet that also provides for financial incentives and grants to the homestay and B and B units. Briefing media persons about the state cabinet's decisions, finance minister Suresh Khanna said the state cabinet gave nod to 10 proposals. He said UP Homestay and B and B Policy provides for housing facilities in up to six rooms (12 beds). Khanna said a committee headed by district magistrate and comprising district police chief (or representative) and others would grant permission to run the homestay services. He said the units would provide housing facilities for a period of up to seven days along with a provision of extension with permission. Khanna said the application fee for four categories of homestays would be ₹500 to ₹750 in rural areas and ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 in urban areas. Khanna said Uttar Pradesh, with a rich cultural heritage and historical sites, is a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists. In the absence of any homestay, B and B policy, those running such facilities had to register them with the Nidhi Plus portal of the Union tourism ministry and a certificate was being issued to them following registration. ₹200 cr for building Annapurna Bhawans The state cabinet approved a proposal to provide a sum of ₹200 crore for construction of Annapurna Bhawans for running model fair price shops. Minister for finance Suresh Khanna said the Annapurna Bhawan is constructed with a cost of ₹8.5 lakh in 484 square feet area and those running the fair price shops are allowed to keep other items as well. He said 3,534 Annapurna Bhawans have been constructed and 2,000 are under construction in the state. He said the Annapurna Bhawans were till now being constructed with the funds from MNREGA, MPLAD, Vidhayak Nidhi, Poorvanchal and Bundelkhand Vikas Nidhi. He said the savings from the food and civil supplies department would also be used for construction and around 75 to 100 Annapurna Bhawans would be constructed in every district.
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
To amp up tourism infrastructure, UP Cabinet gives nod to Homestay Policy
Aiming to provide comfortable accommodation options for devotees and tourists visiting the state's religious and tourist destinations, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Uttar Pradesh Bed and Breakfast (B&B) and Homestay Policy-2025. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the Tourism Department, the new policy was necessitated as hotels at religious and tourist destinations usually get fully booked, leaving visitors with limited or no lodging options. The policy seeks to resolve this issue by enabling local residents to offer homestay accommodations, it said. Under the policy, only a small fee —ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 750 — will be charged to register homestays in rural areas. For urban and silver-category homestays, the application fee has been fixed at Rs 2,000. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, state Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said under the policy, any individual residing in a proximity to a religious or tourist site will be allowed to register a homestay unit consisting of 1 to 6 rooms, with a capacity of a maximum of 12 beds. Tourists can avail of the facility for up to seven consecutive days, with provisions for extension through a renewal process, he said. The registration and approval of homestays will be overseen by a committee headed by the district magistrate and superintendent of police concerned to ensure safety and compliance. With no state-level policy for homestays till now, homestay operators had to register on the Central government's NIDHI+ portal. Under the new policy, they can now register easily by getting a no-objection certificate (NOC) from local authorities. Khanna further said that the policy also includes financial support and incentives to encourage residents to offer part of their homes for tourism purposes. It will not only provide affordable and convenient accommodation for tourists, but will also create new income and job opportunities for local people, he said, adding that the move is expected to strengthen the state's economy and tourism infrastructure. Khanna said 10 of the 11 proposals presented before the Cabinet were given approval. Among these were the approval for the construction of annapurna bhawans to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) and ensure smooth availability of foodgrains to ration card holders. To speed up the construction process, the government has decided to use savings from the fiscal savings as well. The proposal gives the option of seeking funds for construction from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), State Finance Commission, MP and MLA funds, Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Development Funds, or any other state or Central government scheme that allows such construction. If funds are not available from these sources, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will arrange the money from its own savings, it is learnt. Around 75 to 100 Aannapurna Bhawans will be built in each district every year. The policy also includes provisions for maintaining these bhawans. Also, the Cabinet has approved incentive funds for five mega-category industrial units under the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy-2017. The government has approved the first installment to these industrial units.
