Mysuru: Following the alleged sexual assault of a foreign tourist at a homestay in neighbouring Kodagu district, the Mysuru district administration has ordered stringent measures to strengthen tourist safety and directed all unregistered homestays to cease operations immediately.

Mysuru Deputy Commissioner and District Tourism Development Committee Chairperson G. Lakshmikanth Reddy issued the directions, warning that homestay operators functioning without registration from the Department of Tourism would face strict legal action if they continued their business.

The move is aimed at ensuring safer accommodation for visitors and improving compliance with tourism regulations across the district.

Unregistered homestays ordered to shut down

The Deputy Commissioner directed all homestays operating without valid registration from the tourism department to stop providing accommodation until they complete the mandatory registration process.

He stated that only licensed establishments complying with government regulations would be permitted to operate. Authorities have been instructed to initiate legal action against operators who violate the order by continuing to accept guests without approval.

The directive comes in the aftermath of the alleged assault in Kodagu, which has raised concerns over the safety of tourists staying in private accommodation facilities.

Mandatory approvals and registration

Reddy said homestay owners must obtain all mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs), including clearances from the police and local authorities, before applying for registration with the tourism department.

Until the registration process is completed, such establishments will not be allowed to accommodate tourists.

The administration believes strict enforcement of registration norms will help improve accountability and ensure better monitoring of tourist accommodation facilities.

Surprise inspections to ensure compliance

District officials have been instructed to conduct surprise inspections of homestays to verify compliance with safety and security guidelines.

The inspections will focus on the installation and functioning of CCTV cameras, maintenance of guest registers, verification of staff backgrounds and adherence to other prescribed safety measures.

Officials have also been asked to ensure that accommodation providers follow all tourism department regulations intended to safeguard visitors.

Emergency contact numbers made mandatory

As part of the safety measures, the Deputy Commissioner directed all homestays to prominently display emergency contact numbers at their premises.

The mandatory list includes:

  • Emergency Response Support System: 112
  • National Tourist Helpline: 1800-11-1363 / 1363
  • Women’s Safety Helpline: 181
  • Child Helpline: 1098
  • Contact numbers of the nearest hospital or relevant emergency authority
  • Tourism Department Assistant/Deputy Director’s Office: 0821-2422096
  • Deputy Commissioner’s Office: 0821-2424079
  • District Disaster Management Authority: 0821-2423800
  • Contact details of the local gram panchayat or urban local body
  • Phone numbers of the Sakhi One-Stop Centre

Officials said displaying these numbers would enable tourists to quickly access assistance during emergencies.

Tourists advised to choose registered accommodation

The district administration has also appealed to visitors to stay only in tourism department-approved and licensed hotels or homestays.

Tourists have been advised to verify the registration status of an accommodation facility before making a booking or checking in.

The administration said choosing registered establishments would help ensure better safety standards and provide visitors with access to regulated services.

Focus on strengthening tourist safety

The latest measures reflect the district administration’s effort to reinforce tourist safety and improve regulatory oversight following the alleged incident in Kodagu.

By tightening registration norms, conducting regular inspections and mandating visible emergency information, the authorities aim to create a safer environment for domestic and international visitors while ensuring that tourism establishments comply with prescribed standards.