Karnataka tourism dept to come up with safety advisory, new homestay policy after gang-rape incident

The incident near Hampi was unfortunate, but an isolated one; our destinations are safe for tourists: Director for Tourism.

Mysuru: In view of tourists' safety and security, Karnataka being a major tourist hub, the Tourism department is coming up with an advisory for owners of resorts, homestays and lodges. In order to ensure the safety of tourists, they are preparing a new homestay policy, with guidelines for approval and registration, said Director for Tourism Dr K V Rajendra.

He said, "In the wake of the incident near Hampi, we are taking additional precautionary measures for the safety of tourists. We are consulting the stakeholders to ensure that this new advisory and policy are viable for them. We are planning to come up with both by the end of this month."

He added that they already have 759 home-guards, trained as tourism police or 'tourism mitras', and there is a state budget allocation to have 1,000 more 'tourism mitras'.

He added, "The incident near Hampi is unfortunate, but it is an isolated one. Our destinations are safe for tourists. In every district, there is a tourism authority, led by the DC. SP, ZP CEO and other officers are its members. They regularly review measures for a safe and comfortable tourism experience."

Two women -- a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a homestay operator -- were allegedly gang-raped and assaulted while they were stargazing near Hampi. Three male tourists who were with the women were also assaulted and pushed into a canal and one of them was found dead.

Mysuru Hotel Owners' Association president C Narayana Gowda said, "A homestay policy is needed. There are over 2,000 homestays, paying guest accommodations and service apartments in Mysuru city alone. But 95 per cent of them are not registered. So, it will be difficult for the police to keep a watch on the safety of the tourists."

Mysuru district ASP C Mallik said that whenever foreign tourists check-in at hotels or homestays, they should submit Form C to the jurisdictional police, so that the police can pay attention to their safety. "So, registration of homestays is essential," he said.

Former vice-president of Karnataka Tourism Forum and member of Karnataka Tourism Society M Ravi said, "No new destination is created or identified. Old ones are not maintained well. No new itinerary is formed with proper formulation of circuits of destinations. There is a lack of promotion, besides a high cost of resorts, air tickets and others."

"So, foreign tourists' arrival to Karnataka is already on a decline. Following the incident near Hampi, they will further deteriorate. So, when the Tourism department comes up with policies like homestay guidelines, they should be practically implementable. Stringent policy regarding safety of both domestic and international tourists should be incorporated. The Police cannot provide security all the time. So, homestay owners should be brought under one umbrella and educated on how to employ their staff, after thorough background verification, and how they should take care of tourists' safety. There is not much visibility of 'tourism mitras'. The 'tourism mitras' should be trained well, on how to assist and protect tourists."

President of Mysuru Travel Agents' Association B S Prashanth, said, "The homestay policy should incorporate rules for proper verification of homestays before approval for registration. It should have strict laws for homestays. In view of tourists' safety, there should be one POC 24/7 emergency complaint portal or toll free number for tourists; increased police patrolling at remote tourist places. They should create more awareness regarding strict punishment for heinous crimes like the incident near Hampi."