Bengaluru: Karnataka high court has suggested that the dept of tourism, in consultation with other departments, must examine formulating a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework governing establishment, operation and supervision of homestays in the state.Justice Suraj Govindaraj made the suggestion on a petition filed by the owner of a homestay in Kodagu district where a US national was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by one of the staff members early this year.The owner has challenged the deputy commissioner’s notice for revocation of the licence of his homestay situated in Kutta of Kodagu. The judge said the notice will be treated as a show-cause notice; the petitioner has to submit his response before June 24.Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2015, provides for registration and regulation of tourism trade establishments, including homestays. The court said it yet favoured a comprehensive policy since the operation of a homestay involves numerous aspects cutting across many statutory and regulatory domains.The court said a homestay is not merely a commercial establishment, it is a place where members of the public reside.The judge observed that a comprehensive policy would serve multiple public purposes: Tourist safety, promote confidence in Karnataka as a tourist destination, ensure uniformity in enforcement, reduce regulatory ambiguity, and facilitate ease of compliance for operators.There is a further need to clearly delineate the responsibilities of the various govt authorities involved in regulation, the court said.At present, aspects relating to tourism, food safety, fire safety, local administration, public health, police verification, taxation and environmental compliance are administered by different departments, the judge observed. Additionally, there is a need for a structured inspection and enforcement mechanism.KEY POINTS* Fire safety: Since homestays operate from residential buildings, adequate fire-prevention measures, emergency exits, firefighting equipment, evacuation protocols and periodic inspections are a must.* Food safety: Food should meet safety standards; kitchens must be hygienic, storage norms must follow safety laws* Building law compliance: Homestays often operate in residential, semiurban, rural, coastal, eco-sensitive or hill areas. The must ensure all compliances (zoning regulations, occupancy norms, waste management obligations, among others)* Guest security: Maintaining accurate guest records, verifying identification documents and cooperating with law-enforcement agencies* Transparency in bookings: Issues relating to homestay pricing, cancellation policies, amenities offered, refunds, hidden charges, quality of accommodation and redressal of grievances* Sanitation: Cleanliness, drinking water, waste disposal, sewage management and environmental sustainability* Family-run or commercial?: Make clear distinction between family-run small homestays and larger commercial establishments. Regulatory requirements should be proportionate to the scale and nature of operations
