BHUBANESWAR: It’s a usual fantasy of people all over the world to live out of a suitcase. Going places is the ultimate kickback for working professionals as well as homemakers. However, a common issue which is faced by tourist all over the world is the desirability of accommodations. Addressing this concern, the Ministry of Tourism of Government of India had launched the Bed and (B&B) to ease the concerns of potential tourists. Residences under this scheme have several guest rooms and personalized service. The guests are served with delicious home-cooked food as they get to experience the Indian way of living.
Annapurna Patra, owner of a residence (A/7) under the scheme at Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar is involved in the initiative since 2014. She said, “I am happy to serve and interact with guests. We have made six rooms for the guests who visit our state. We try to provide a homely environment to them by following all the norms of the scheme. We serve cooked food and complimentary breakfast to all the tourists. The most significant part of our allowances is that we even allow the visitors to bring their pets with them. There are no restrictions for the guests whatsoever. We even allow them to try their cooking skills at the kitchen. Visitors seem to like the Odia cuisines that we serve.” Guests staying for more than 7 days get concessions, she added.
Pradip Dey, a tourist from Kolkata, said that B&B is the only place where you can get five-star facilities at a very cheap rate. He said, “One can avail delicious home-cooked food at the facility. You don’t even have to worry about the security of your belongings as it is situated at a much secured location. I am a regular visitor of this residence.”
According to officials of the department of tourism, the concept of home stay establishments became popular during the Common Wealth Games in New Delhi when the national capital was grappling with the issue of availability of quality accommodations. Plans to extend such facilities to the whole nation were formulated and ratified on 2014. This innovative central government scheme enables home owners to make use of their unused properties and mint money out of it.
NIDHI SINHA,OP