K'taka mulls law to regulate homestay

Taj, ITC evince interest in 5-star hotel at Hampi

The Karnataka government proposes to introduce a legislation in the next assembly session to regulate homestay in the state.

The tourism department will prepare a draft legislation and submit it for the approval of the cabinet soon, Karnataka tourism minister B Sreeramulu said.

Homestay involves families renting out rooms to tourists mostly for overnight stay and earning something in the process, the equivalent of 'bed and breakfast' facilities available in the West. Kodagu has taken a lead in homestay and presently offers around 700 rooms a day.

He told reporters on the sidelines of mini-Connect, a public-private partnership on homestays, here on Thursday, "We have had preliminary discussions with representatives of homestay operators and based on their suggestions the department of tourism is in the process of preparing a legislation. This is absolutely necessary as homestay operators face a lot of problems from government departments like the police, excise and commercial tax."

The proposed act will facilitate the smooth functioning of homestay and ensure the safety of tourists on homestay. Of late, there have been many complaints from homestay operators to the government regarding ill-treatment from various government departments like the excise, commercial taxes and the police, he said.

The new act will not only address these issues but also regulate the industry so as to prevent unscrupulous practices, he added. "Suitable guidelines are being worked out to promote and develop the industry which is emerging as an alternative to the high-cost hotels," he said.

The minister informed that the proposed bridge across the river Tunga at Anegondi near Hampi will be completed at a cost of Rs 2 crore following the withdrawal of objection by the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) recently.

The Unesco had felt that Hampi was a World Heritage centre and the bridge could affect its environment.

Following the Unesco clearance, the government has also speeded up efforts to set up a mega tourism complex at a 250-acre site in the vicinity of Hampi Virupaksha temple. It has been proposed to construct a five-star hotel and one budget hotel near Hampi.

The Taj Group of Hotels and ITC have already evinced their interest in setting up a five-star hotel at Hampi, he said.

The tourism department plans to introduce battery-operated buses at Hampi to ferry tourists to important monuments and buildings.

The Union ministry of tourism has also sanctioned Rs 3 crore to the state for the restoration of old buildings and monuments in Kodagu district.

The state government will take steps to protect all the old traditional buildings in the stae, he added.