Homestay owners seek relaxation of tourism curbs in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru

Homestay owners in Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts of Karnataka are pleading for a relaxation of tourism restrictions to safeguard their businesses. Sagar Ganapathy, Treasurer of the Coorg Hotels and Resorts’ Association, expressed concern over the closure and stringent limitations imposed on popular tourist sites such as Raja’s Seat, Mandalpatti, Dubare, and Thadiyandamol, Kodagu’s highest peak.

These restrictions have significantly reduced tourist influx, adversely affecting homestay owners and related businesses like taxi operators and guides.

Kaverappa, a nature guide in Kodagu, laments the financial struggles faced by locals due to decreased tourist numbers, forcing many to take up labor work in coffee plantations. H. L. Girish, owner of Saaranga Homestay and a member of Chikkamagaluru Homestay Association, highlighted the issue of vehicle movement restrictions, which have led to reduced footfall at tourist attractions like Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri, Hebbe falls, and Kalhatti falls.

The Tourism Department has introduced an online booking system for vehicles, allowing only 600 cars daily, causing inconvenience for tourists and forcing them to pay private cab drivers for transportation.

The homestay association has reported these issues to local MLAs, who promised to communicate them to Tourism Minister K.J. George. Jeevan Gowda, a tech enthusiast who recently planned a trip to Chikkamagaluru, faced difficulties booking slots due to the portal showing all slots booked. The Tourism Department acknowledged the traffic congestion issue but maintained that restricting vehicle entry was necessary for safety reasons.

As the tourism sector grapples with these challenges, homestay owners and nature guides urge the government to adopt a balanced approach that ensures visitor safety while maintaining open tourism destinations, thereby supporting the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on the sector.