Over 2,000 Illegal Homestays in Kodagu: Homestay Association Demands Urgent Action

Photo used for representative purposes only

Madikeri: Homestay operators in Kodagu have urged the State government to crack down on more than 2,000 unauthorised accommodations functioning across the region, citing growing concerns over regulation and visitor safety.

Their appeal follows a recent incident in Kutta, where a tourist from the United States was allegedly assaulted at a registered homestay, triggering alarm within the hospitality sector.

At a media interaction in Madikeri, representatives of the Kodagu District Homestay Association stressed the urgent need to appoint a Deputy Director for the Tourism Department, a post that has remained vacant for months.

Association president Monthi Ganesh said the absence of key tourism officials has resulted in weak supervision of tourism-related establishments. “Kodagu attracts a large number of visitors and has thousands of homestays and resorts. However, without a Deputy Director in place, effective monitoring becomes difficult,” she noted.

Ganesh added that firm action against illegal operators, including police intervention, is necessary to safeguard tourists and maintain standards in the sector.

Another member, K.M. Karumbaiah, pointed out that while 2,470 homestays are officially registered, over 2,000 are operating without approval. He also flagged the role of middlemen who allegedly approach travellers near bus stands and other public locations, diverting them to unlicensed properties.

Referring to the assault case at the homestay in Kutta, Ganesh said the establishment was a registered unit. She suggested that authorities could have opted for suspension of its licence rather than outright cancellation, as investigations are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police K. Bindu Mani chaired a meeting with stakeholders, including hotel, resort, and homestay owners, to reinforce compliance with safety norms. Property owners were directed to submit staff details and ensure that foreign guests are properly registered with the police through mandatory documentation.

Police across Kodagu have also conducted similar outreach meetings to ensure stricter adherence to safety protocols for tourists visiting the district.

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