Charting a smooth path for hosts & guests
As homestays mushroom across Karnataka’s tourist destinations, safety concerns and unauthorised establishments are putting the sector under scrutiny. The Tourism Department is now moving to streamline registrations, tighten regulations, and bring a new Bed & Breakfast policy, writes Rashmi Patil
Homestays have emerged as a popular choice for tourists visiting Karnataka, offering a warm and authentic cultural experience. There are approximately 4,000 registered homestays across the state, primarily in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, and Hampi. However, the Tourism Department has raised concerns about the enforcement of regulations, particularly following a recent incident in a Kodagu homestay where a rape case was heard in court.
In June 2026, the Karnataka High Court urged the State government and the Tourism Department to develop comprehensive policies to address safety, compliance, and consumer protection concerns in the homestay industry. The Tourism Department has now made it mandatory for all homestays to register through the online portal or Seva Sindhu Portal under the revised Karnataka Homestay Registration Guidelines, 2025.
Despite these guidelines, thousands of unauthorized homestays or Bed & Breakfasts continue to operate across tourist destinations. Monthi Ganesh, president of the Kodagu Homestay Owners' Association, estimates that there are at least 2,000 unregistered homestays in Kodagu, operated by individuals who lease properties and start businesses without following guidelines.
She noted that tourists are often taken to distant locations by brokers and agents for very low prices, leading to instances of cheating, harassment, and ill-treatment.
To tackle these issues, the Kodagu Homestay Owners' Association plans to provide tourists with a booklet containing information about authorized homestays, contact details, and emergency helpline numbers. District Commissioner Somashekar S.J. stated that the district administration will collaborate with industry veterans to create this booklet, which will include guidelines and emergency contact information for tourists.
In Chikkamagaluru, President H.L. Giridhar of the Chikkamagaluru Homestay Owners' Association reported that around 600 homestays are registered, while over a thousand operate without authorization. He emphasized the importance of a transparent process for obtaining licenses and urged the government to discourage the growth of Bed & Breakfasts, which could undermine the unique hospitality offered by authorized homestays.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
