Following the application for registration, the homestay owners are likely to receive the certificate from the department within 45 days.
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Around 600 homestay owners have applied for the registration certificate from the Tourism Department, Government of Karnataka, after revised guidelines were issued in April 2026, keeping in focus the safety and service standards provided to visitors.
Trilok Chandra K.V., Secretary, Tourism Department, said, “We were receiving complaints from visitors who stayed in various homestays about harassment, unhygienic kitchens and bathrooms, unsafe surroundings with no CCTV surveillance and so on. In order to ensure safety in terms of services to tourists, the department has reiterated the registration of homestays under its revised guidelines in April 2026 as per the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2015.”
Mr. Chandra said, “We also issued an official order in May 2026 to apply for registration online e Tourism Department. In the past one month, we have received 600 applications. The concentration of applicants is more in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hampi as these are the tourist hubs. Before making it mandatory, around 3,500 homestays have already registered with the department.”
Siraj, who runs a homestay in Anegundi, said, “Having a registration certificate provides us credibility and legal protection. Whenever, tourists or visitors come to stay, they will trust the homestays that have registered. I had also applied online for the registration certificate, and two officials have already visited the site. They have inspected, and the process is ongoing for me to get a certificate.”
45 days
Following the application for registration, the homestay owners are likely to receive the certificate from the department within 45 days.
“The Deputy Commissioner, Police Department, zilla panchayat and gram panchayat (if the homestay is in the village) officials will inspect the homestays in their respective districts once we receive applications from the owners. On the completion of inspection, a report of all the homestays will be compiled by Deputy Director Tourism in that respective district. Later the approval committee reviews the report and issues the certificate. The entire process takes 45 days but in places like Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hampi, Badami and others where the number is more, the duration to obtain certificates might extend. Because, the officials have to thoroughly inspect each site,” he added.
Mr. Chandra stressed that while there is no last date for applying, there is a penalty of ₹10,000 and possible imprisonment of up to two months if the homestay owners fail to register.
During the inspection, documents of ownership of land or house, criminal antecedents in any police station, functioning of CCTV cameras and other factors are taken into consideration. It is also mandatory to renew this certificate once in every five years so that the homestays remain credible for the visitors to stay.
Published – July 04, 2026 07:24 pm IST
