The police department in Kodagu is gearing up to act against homestays that remain unregistered, despite recent simplifications in the registration process. Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan, while addressing homestay and lodge proprietors in Madikeri taluk, shared that the earlier list of 18 mandatory conditions has now been trimmed down to just three. This move, he explained, is designed to encourage legal operations of homestays and foster job opportunities for local youth.
Additional Superintendent of Police K S Sundar Raj highlighted that tourism in Kodagu has witnessed remarkable growth. He cautioned that tourism should not be treated merely as a commercial enterprise but as a community service. Stressing the importance of maintaining Kodagu’s image, he warned that any untoward incident could harm both the district’s reputation and its booming tourism sector. He also insisted that every visitor staying in a homestay must furnish valid identification.
Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of Tourism, praised Kodagu’s unmatched hospitality. Citing data from ticket sales and parking collections, she revealed that the district attracts around 45 lakh visitors annually, with the total footfall estimated at 60 lakh. She underlined the importance of adhering to rules to ensure sustainable and responsible tourism.
Currently, out of nearly 4,000 homestays, 2,229 are officially registered while 500 have shut down. Homestay Association President Monti Ganesh, Hotel Association advisor G Chidvilas, CI P K Raju, and others were present at the gathering.
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