Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 19: Karnataka's mandatory homestay registration drive has gathered significant momentum, with more than 500 homestay owners across the state applying for registration, signalling a strong response to the government's new regulatory framework, tourism department commissioner V Ram Prasath Manohar said on Sunday.
Calling upon all eligible operators yet to register, the Commissioner urged them to complete the process without delay and become part of Karnataka's official tourism network.
"The new registration system has received an excellent response from homestay owners, with more than 500 applications already submitted. This is an encouraging indication that the sector is embracing a transparent and regulated tourism framework," Manohar said in a statement.
He said the department of tourism had been successfully implementing the guidelines governing homestay registration, with owners from across Karnataka responding enthusiastically to the initiative.
Reiterating that registration is now mandatory, the commissioner appealed to all unregistered homestay operators to secure official recognition by registering with the Department at the earliest.
Of the applications received so far, documentation for nearly 400 has already been verified, while physical inspections are currently in progress. Every application will undergo a comprehensive scrutiny process before a registration certificate is issued, the official said.
The inspections are being carried out jointly by officials from the department of tourism, the police department, the deputy commissioner's office, and either the chief executive officer of the Zilla Panchayat or the project director of the District Urban Development Cell. During the inspections, authorities assess compliance with prescribed standards relating to infrastructure, safety, sanitation and operational requirements.
Homestays that fail to meet the minimum standards laid down under the guidelines will not be granted registration. However, owners will be permitted to rectify the identified shortcomings and submit fresh applications for inspection.
Following successful document verification, physical inspection and approval by the competent authority, registration certificates will be issued within 45 days. Each certificate will remain valid for five years, after which renewal will be compulsory.
According to the statement, the mandatory registration regime has been introduced to provide official government recognition to homestays operating across Karnataka.
Besides assuring visitors of safe, reliable and quality accommodation, the initiative will enable the Department of Tourism to maintain a comprehensive official database of registered homestays across the state.
Registered homestays will be required to comply with the department's operational and safety regulations, a move expected to strengthen tourists' confidence while promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in Karnataka.
The department framed the new guidelines following a series of unfortunate incidents involving foreign tourists in the state.