Revised norms mandate foreign guest reporting, police verification, CCTV surveillance and stricter compliance
Bengaluru
The Karnataka government has intensified monitoring of foreign tourists staying in homestays and launched a crackdown on illegal accommodations following the alleged rape of a US tourist in Kodagu district, where two persons, including a homestay owner and cook, were arrested.
Acting on directions issued by the Director General and Inspector General of Police and the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), authorities carried out a special inspection drive across districts with a high concentration of homestays, including Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.
Officials said the operation has so far identified more than 100 illegal homestays, with inspections still continuing in several regions. A detailed report recommending action against violators will soon be submitted to the police and tourism departments.
Under the revised safety guidelines, homestay operators must upload details of all foreign guests onto the police department’s digital monitoring system and continue mandatory submission of Form C to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Operators are also required to prominently display registration certificates and licences at reception areas and report any suspicious or illegal activity immediately.
Authorities have made police verification compulsory for all homestay staff. Guests must also be provided emergency contact information for local police, health services and district administration officials.
Officials acknowledged that monitoring tourists in remote estate properties has remained challenging, especially as many unregistered homestays operate informally and depend heavily on tourism platforms for income.
HM Srinivas, Joint Commissioner of Tourism, said registered homestays are governed under the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2015, which mandates licensing and compliance checks.
Additional measures introduced by the government include compulsory training programmes for owners and staff through district tourism development committees. The Women and Child Development Department will conduct awareness sessions on gender sensitisation, the POSH Act and the POCSO Act.
Homestays must now install QR codes at reception areas enabling guests to download the Karnataka State Police SOS app. In locations with weak mobile connectivity, operators must provide alternative communication facilities such as landline phones.
CCTV cameras have also been made mandatory at reception areas, with footage required to be stored for at least 30 days.
Owner presence mandatory
To strengthen supervision and accountability, the government has made it compulsory for homestay owners to reside on the premises, particularly in remote tourist destinations frequently visited by foreign travellers.
