More than a decade after homestays became a part of Kodagu’s tourism circuit, the state government is looking at a slice of the pie by introducing a steep fee and regulating them.
This is a direct fallout of the increasing tourist flow to the district, which has led to the brisk growth of homestays. Tourism department officials said the government decided to issue guidelines and regulate them not just for revenue, but also to curtail illegal activities and fleecing of tourists in some illegal holiday homes. Not long ago, a homestay owner too was attacked and robbed near Gonikoppal in Kodagu by a gang posing as tourists.
Welcoming the new guidelines, Shashi Monappa, a homestay owner, said the de partment of tourism should also undertake a survey to identify homestays and bring everyone under its ambit in the interest of tourism in Kodagu.
While the average number of tourists visiting Kodagu hovered around 4-5 lakh a year in 2005, it has now touched around 25 lakh a year. “Of these, at least 70% opt for homestays,” a tourism department official in Kodagu said.
Tourists have little choice because the Karnataka government has been not able to match the unprecedented footfalls in terms of infrastructural facilities and there aren’t many budget hotels available in Madikeri to meet the growing rush. So homestays have come to the rescue of people looking for budget accommodation.
While 249 homestays are registered, another 300 are waiting for registration.”Besides, there are more than 1,500 unregistered homestays doing good business,” officials added. They have been classified as `silver’ and `gold’ depending on the ambience, type of facilities and range of services offered.
Tata Coffee Ltd, the largest coffee plantation company in Asia, has not remained immune to the business opportunity . It has already converted a few mansions under its ownership into holiday homes. The expansion of homestays in Kodagu has been attributed to the progressively declin ing returns from coffee cultivation, which has nudged many marginal coffee estate owners to promote homestays that need minimum investment.
Many traditional coffee growers who own traditional bungalows, especially those built in the colonial style of architecture, have transformed it into an affordable hospitality zone.
Shashi Monappa of Maithili Home Comforts at Madikeri said the concept of homestays gained momentum in 2005.
Asha Sagar, who started Nest 15 years ago at Gonikoppal, said such homes offer tourists an affordable choice. While a oneroom facility in a decent hotel in Madikeri costs Rs 1,500-3,000 for 24 hours, homestays offer a two-room, four-bed family facility , including breakfast, for Rs 1500-5,000 per day.
Interestingly , there is no dull season for the homestay business in Kodagu. “Even during peak monsoon, people love to spend time here and enjoy nature’s bounty . But tourism is more vibrant during weekends, holidays and long vacations,” said Karumbaiah of Ajantha Homestay at Madikeri.
However, those in the business are not amused with the new tourism guidelines.”It’s wrong to say we have year-long business. There are certain seasons and each season doesn’t last more than a few weeks,” said Ajith Devaiah, a home stay owner in Pollibetta.
TIMES VIEW
With homestays turning into the preferred option for lakhs of tourists in Kodagu, it is high time the government stepped in and regulated the business. Rampant commercialization has led to peak-season fleecing and shortchanging of tourists.In such a scenario, rules should rein in such informal setups which offer a perfect solution between a home and a resort. The tourism department should ensure safety measures and records, but not misuse the regulations to exploit this budding sector. Regulation will work to the advantage of all stakeholders: the tourist, the homestay operator and the government.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru> Namma Metro / by Manu Aiyappa, TNN / June 10th, 2015
