India Tourism Chennai, Regional office of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, organised a sensitization and capacity building workshop for approved Homestay and Bed & Breakfast (B&B) owners in Kodaikanal on 8th September 2025 at Hotel Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal. The programme was organised with the support of the Tourism Department, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai.
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri D. Venkatesan, Regional Director (South), Ministry of Tourism. He highlighted the growing importance of homestays and B&Bs in offering authentic experiences to travellers and in positioning Kodaikanal as a sustainable tourism destination.
The programme was designed to address gaps observed during classification inspections, particularly in areas of housekeeping, hygiene, grooming, and communication skills. Resource persons from the Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai conducted interactive sessions and demonstrations on:
Incredible India B&B/Homestay Classification Guidelines, including online application processes and benefits of classification.
Professional grooming & communication, emphasizing effective guest interaction.
Housekeeping & hygiene standards, ensuring guest-ready facilities that align with international expectations.
106 homestay and B&B owners/caretakers from Kodaikanal actively participated in the sessions. The workshop also featured Q&A interactions, enabling participants to clarify doubts about classification norms and operational standards.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Venkatesan noted that “Homestays and B&B are ambassadors of Indian hospitality. By adopting professional standards and sustainable practices, owners in Kodaikanal can enhance guest satisfaction and contribute significantly to the local tourism economy.” He also highlighted the Mudra Loan Scheme of the Government of India, urging service sector entrepreneurs and homestay owners to explore this facility for upgrading infrastructure and improving services.
Certificates of participation were distributed to all attendees. The initiative reflects the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to skilling, sensitizing, and empowering tourism stakeholders, while building partnerships with state tourism departments and hospitality institutes to strengthen India’s hospitality ecosystem.