West Bengal has launched a statewide portal to register and verify homestays, with only certified properties permitted to use the “homestay” label in signage and advertising. Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh announced the platform in Kolkata on 5 November, saying the state has 5,479 homestays, of which 2,679 are registered with the Tourism Department. The portal is intended to bring applications, inspections and certification online, while creating a verified accommodation database. The state plans to introduce a homestay policy and integrate homestay and government tourist-lodge bookings on one platform. West Bengal has 40 tourist lodges with more than 400 rooms; renovation work has begun at 18 properties. The department reported 30 crore domestic visits and 40 lakh foreign visitors in 2025.
Shreya Bansal is a reporter at TravTalk India, covering the travel and tourism industry. She brings a keen eye for emerging trends, trade developments, and the stories shaping the travel landscape. Through in-depth reporting and on-ground insights, she connects industry stakeholders with news that matters. Beyond travel, Shreya has a growing interest in the premium lifestyle space, particularly the world of fine jewellery and is eager to explore the craftsmanship, culture, and commerce that define luxury living.