After the latest rape of two ladies and homicide of a tourist at considered one of Karnataka’s most well-known tourist locations, Hampi, the Home Department has issued guidelines to be adopted by homestay and resort homeowners for the safety of vacationers, together with making it necessary to get police or Forest Department permission earlier than taking vacationers to abandoned spots or forest areas.
On March 6, a homestay proprietor had taken two home and two worldwide vacationers to a abandoned space close to Anegundi for stargazing. Three different males arrived on the spot and allegedly raped an Israeli tourist and the homestay proprietor whereas the three males had been pushed into the Tungabhadra left financial institution canal. One of the vacationers drowned.
As per the guidelines, all homestay and resort-owners ought to take applicable measures to maintain the vacationers protected, and to keep away from such incidents sooner or later.
Permission of jurisdictional police
“If homestay or resort owners want to take their domestic or international guests to the outskirts or deserted places, they should inform the jurisdictional police and obtain their permission. If they take them to deserted places or forest areas without permission, the homestay or resort owners will be responsible for any mishap that occurs due to wild animals or anti-social elements. They will be subjected to legal action and punishment,” it says.
The round orders the police to ensure implementation of those guidelines in all homestays and resorts of their jurisdiction. It additionally directs them to look at the sightseeing packages provided by tour operators to ensure that the locations should not harmful.
The Tourism Department is circulating the guidelines in all of the districts. “We already have existing guidelines for homestays and resorts. Now, we have included these points too. We are sending a copy to the Deputy Commissioners (DC) in all districts,” stated Salma Okay. Fahim, Secretary, Tourism Department.
Homestay homeowners specific reservations
The homestay homeowners expressed their assist for the brand new guidelines however stated it was not proper to maintain them accountable for in every single place the vacationers go.
“We already follow the regulations and submit C-Forms (to register the arrival of foreign tourists) to the police. We should follow the guidelines and abide by the laws for our own safety as well as that of the tourists. However, we cannot take responsibility when tourists go in local vehicles or on their own. During such times, if they say the homestay owner suggested the place, then we will be falsely blamed. This is not very encouraging for tourism. These guidelines might be misused even by officials in case something goes wrong,” stated N.R. Thejaswi, a homestay proprietor and president of Chikkamagaluru Homestay Association.
Published – March 11, 2025 05:41 pm IST
