Kodagu district tightens safety measures for tourists, mandates homestay registration

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Madikeri: The Kodagu district administration has implemented stringent measures to enhance tourist safety and has made it mandatory for all homestay operators to register with the Tourism Department.

Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, Venkat Raja, chaired a meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from hotels, resorts, homestays, and travel agencies. The discussion centred on reinforcing safety protocols for visitors. During the meeting, he emphasised that the homestay registration process had been simplified to facilitate compliance.

With the new streamlined system, verification and certification of homestays are now completed within a short period, he noted.

Registration drive and online access

Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism in Kodagu, stated that out of approximately 3,500 homestays in the district, 2,269 had completed the registration process.

In a bid to ensure transparency, the district administration has instructed that details of all registered homestays be made accessible online. The goal is to achieve 100% registration, with provisions for online applications, which can be completed by paying a fee of ₹500, said Venkat Raja.

The Deputy Commissioner warned of legal repercussions for unregistered homestays if any unlawful activities or untoward incidents take place on their premises. He added that owners of homestays situated in remote or forested areas would be held responsible for any incidents involving their guests unless they secure prior approval from the police or forest department.

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Enhanced security measures

As part of the new safety directives, all hotels, resorts, and homestays must install CCTV cameras, deploy security personnel or home guards, and ensure sufficient lighting at night to safeguard guests. The Deputy Commissioner instructed taluk panchayat executive officers and tahsildars to conduct regular meetings to verify compliance before granting trade licences.

Additionally, he stressed the need to bolster security in border areas such as Chelavara, Iruppu, and Dubare. Special attention must be given to the protection of women and children at lodging facilities and popular tourist spots, he stated.

For emergencies, visitors can contact the district police helpline at 94808-04900 or the District Disaster Management unit at 08272-221077.

Tourist safety advisory

The district administration has circulated a directive dated March 10, 2025, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, outlining mandatory safety protocols for tourists.

The circular stipulates that police approval is required before taking visitors to secluded areas. Tourists should also be informed about local customs, potential risks, and legal guidelines. Additionally, only registered transport services, including taxis and ride-sharing apps, should be used to ensure secure travel.

Visitors are advised to avoid displaying expensive jewellery or carrying large amounts of cash, opting instead for digital payment methods such as UPI and cards. Other recommendations include refraining from using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, using a VPN for secure internet browsing, and exercising caution when exploring remote locations, forested areas, and water bodies.

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