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The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to formulate a comprehensive policy governing homestays, citing concerns over tourist safety, regulatory oversight and the rapid growth of unregulated accommodation units across the state. The directive was issued during proceedings related to a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a US tourist at a homestay in Kodagu earlier this year. The court observed that existing legal provisions governing homestay registration do not adequately address several operational and safety aspects, including fire clearances, food safety requirements and local authority approvals. The ruling places renewed focus on the regulation of Karnataka's growing homestay sector, which plays a significant role in the state's tourism economy, particularly in destinations such as Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and coastal Karnataka.
The Karnataka High Court has directed the state tourism department to develop a comprehensive policy for regulating homestays across the state, highlighting concerns related to tourist safety, licensing requirements and oversight of accommodation facilities. The direction was issued in the past week during proceedings linked to a Kodagu homestay where a US tourist was allegedly sexually assaulted earlier this year.
The court observed that while the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act provides for registration of homestays, it does not adequately address several operational aspects associated with such establishments. According to the court, issues relating to fire safety clearances, food safety permissions for kitchens, approvals from local municipal authorities and broader guest protection measures require a more detailed regulatory framework. The Principal Secretary of the Tourism Department was asked to formulate a policy that comprehensively addresses these concerns.
The observations emerged while the court was hearing a petition filed by the owner of a homestay in Kodagu whose licence had been cancelled following the registration of a criminal case connected to the alleged assault of a 33-year-old US tourist. During the proceedings, the court noted that the issue extended beyond the individual dispute and carried wider public implications because visitors from across India and overseas rely on homestays during their travels.
In separate hearings related to the same matter, the High Court expressed concern over the rapid proliferation of homestays across Karnataka and the absence of effective monitoring mechanisms. The court remarked that homestays had expanded to an extent where authorities often lacked adequate visibility regarding their locations and operations, creating potential security risks for guests and local communities.
The judicial intervention comes amid a broader review of homestay regulations by the Karnataka government. Following recent incidents involving tourists, the tourism department has already proposed stricter compliance measures, including enhanced inspections, staff verification requirements, safety protocols for women travellers and stronger monitoring systems for registered establishments. Authorities have also examined measures such as mandatory guest record verification, CCTV coverage and district-level inspection mechanisms to improve accountability within the sector.
Homestays form an important component of Karnataka's tourism infrastructure, particularly in destinations known for nature tourism, plantation stays and rural experiences. Areas such as Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and several coastal districts have witnessed significant growth in this segment over the past decade, supported by rising domestic tourism and demand for alternative accommodation options.
With the High Court now calling for a full-scale policy framework, the state government is expected to examine regulatory, operational and safety standards that could provide a more uniform structure for homestay operators while strengthening protections for tourists using such facilities across Karnataka.
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