'Home away from home': Now, Vizag residents can convert houses into homestays for tourists

Visakhapatnam: Do you own a house or farmhouse, or villa in the hilly areas of Visakhapatnam?

Well, if yes, then Andhra Pradesh government has come up with a scheme to convert residential houses into homestays to increase tourist footfalls.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department is launching a new initiative that allows citizens to rent out their homes, villas, or farmhouses to tourists, similar to Airbnb services.

Local residents who have a home in Visakhapatnam can now register their properties as homestays. The tourism department has issued a call inviting citizens to enroll and become a part of this innovative project.

"As part of the 2025–2029 Tourism Policy, Andhra Pradesh is implementing a ‘homestay’ model aimed at offering visitors a home-like experience. Several properties across the city have already been shortlisted for this initiative, and officials are on the lookout for more suitable homes. So far, we have received a good number of applications and are waiting for more to come. We have also received applications from owners from other districts who own properties in Visakhapatnam," Visakhapatnam District Tourism Officer J Madhavi told NewsMeter.

"Any resident or organization can register a property with a minimum of one room and up to six rooms. It can be a homestay where only part of the house is given for rent, or the entire property can be rented out. While the initiative is being implemented across the state, Visakhapatnam—being a major tourist destination—has seen a significant number of applications, especially from those owning properties in Paderu and the Araku agency areas. This allows tourists not only to stay but also to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the local tribal communities," added Madhavi.

After the registration process, the department will conduct an awareness meeting next week for all registrants. During this meeting, participants will be informed about the terms and conditions and will receive comprehensive guidelines for operating homestays.

Subsequently, official teams will visit and verify each registered property before formally including it in the tourism department’s program.

Although similar concepts are already thriving in places like Goa, Bangalore, and Kerala, Visakhapatnam—with its growing reputation as one of India’s top tourist destinations—offers a unique and culturally enriching homestay experience. Tourists visiting agency areas will especially benefit from farm-stays that allow them to engage with local traditions and lifestyles.

Registrations can be completed through the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority (APTA) website and https:/nidhi.tourism.gov.in

For more information, you can contact the tourism office at VMRDA by calling 0891-2754716.