Maharashtra government drafts vacation rental home policy

The Maharashtra government is drafting a policy for vacation rental homes, given the changes in tourist preferences during the pandemic. Maharastra's Principal Secretary, Tourism, Valsa Nair Singh, told the media that the policy would help regulate the whole trade of vacation homes, which will be approved after visits from government officials and the police. It will further help in curbing the menace of unsuspecting tourists getting fleeced. Singh further added that, there is a huge demand for such homes in different parts of the state, where people prefer to stay in already built but unused residences in faraway places rather than in hotel rooms. She said that there had been instances of fleecing where bogus apps have taken payments for non-existing properties. There are dedicated platforms that have such properties listed for tourists. Singh told the media that they are in the process of drafting this policy, and this will be a comprehensive policy, the place will be checked, before giving permission. She said that at the base of the historic Raigad Fort, the tourism department is planning to have a caravan parking bay, where the tourists can park their recreational vehicles. Many entrepreneurs have come forward with plans on the caravan front, and it will take up to two years to have a strong caravan touring culture in the state. She said that there had been movement on the beach shack policy, which was made public last year, and the state would have beach shacks by October. Singh added that there is a huge demand for tourism, and the state's focus is to tap into outbound tourists by giving them options within. Image Source Also read: Affordable rental housing: DDA nods scheme under Delhi Master Plan