Kerala Announces K-HOME Scheme To Offer Vacant Houses To Tourists, Launched In 4 Districts
Inspired by Japan’s Minka Renovation Programme, the scheme repurposes abandoned houses into affordable lodgings while preserving heritage. This model was also successful in France, Finland, and New Zealand
![Kerala registered over 22 million tourists in 2023. (Representative/Shutterstock) Kerala registered over 22 million tourists in 2023. (Representative/Shutterstock)](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2021/07/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&width=640&height=360)
In a fresh boost to the tourism sector in the coastal state, Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal has announced the implementation of the K-HOME scheme in Kerala.
The scheme will be run initially across four districts. The scheme aims to maximise the use of unoccupied houses by providing accommodation to tourists, thereby bolstering tourism development.
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The pilot scheme will focus on areas within a 10-km radius of popular tourist destinations such as Fort Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom, and Kovalam.
According to media reports, the K-HOME scheme will leverage management practices from analogous international initiatives like Japan’s Minka Renovation Programme which provides accommodation at affordable prices by repurposing abandoned rural houses into modern lodgings while preserving cultural heritage. This model has also been successful in France, Finland, and New Zealand.
This approach will also ensure the security and maintenance of vacant properties, generating an additional income stream for homeowners. An initial allocation of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for the scheme’s implementation.
Kerala registered over 22 million tourists in 2023. Reports indicate that the state has around 1.5 million vacant houses, which could serve as an untapped resource for tourism infrastructure.
In addition to the K-HOME scheme, the government plans to develop large convention centres and destination tourism centres to promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism.
The Kerala Financial Corporation will launch a dedicated scheme offering loans of up to Rs 50 crore for hotel construction projects. Additionally, the budget has allocated Rs 7 crore for the 2025–26 edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
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