'Staying in a closed hotel room was not my idea of a vacation to Kerala. I wanted to stay with a family, understand the history and traditions of the land. I wanted to eat home cooked meals, know the culture. That is why I preferred a homestay during my visit to Kerala', says Jacob Peter Bergman, a traveller who came to the state from the Netherlands.
Jacob Peter Bergman stays in a homestay at Kochi. Photo: OnmanoramaThere are many like Bergman who prefer a homestay to a hotel during their visit. However the recent rape of a college student in one of the homestays that was functioning without any permissions in Fort Kochi, and various other incidents, have served to create a sense of unease among travellers and raised the question: how safe is it to stay in a homestay in God's own country?
Fort Kochi Rape: Minors surrender
Fort Kochi: Cop's son among accused
Fort Kochi rape case: Latest updates
According to recent statistics, there are more than 80 authorised homestays in Kochi alone – and almost as many unathorised ones. There 1,200 in the state. No one knows how many unauthorised ones are operating. During the tourism season, thousands of such homestays mushroom around the major tourism centres. Most of them do not comply with the rules and regulations, and it is these places that become the hub for anti-social activities. The problem is not new – there has been several protests to close these unauthorised homestays.
According to Jaison Mathew, secretary, Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society, anti-social activities taking place in these unauthorised homestays tarnish the names of the good ones too. Strict action is the need of the hour, he says.
According to Tony John, who owns Thoppil House, a diamond-rated heritage homestay in Thiruvanathapuram, authorised homestays have to follow a set of rules, including letting the local authorities know about the guests, and the reason of their visits. Most of the unathorised ones skip this step.
Worse, there are some in which the landlord does not reside in the same building – a blatant violation of the rules which clearly state that 'the classification for homestay units will be given only in those cases where the owner/promoter of the unit along with his/her family is physically residing in the same unit.'
Such unauthorised ones are usually run by young men, and there are agents who canvass tourists for these businesses. It is these type of places that a traveller should be wary about. John says some even work out of rented houses without the actual owners being aware of the situation.
Mathew told OnManorama that tourist arrivals to the state have 'drastically' reduced this year and authorised homestays are already seeing a dip in business. He says lack of a strict action on the unauthorised homestays and the criminal elements associated with at least some of them will hurt the business badly.
Kerala Tourism and the Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society websites lists out homestays that are authorised by the authorities. The District Tourism Promotion Council also has a list of authorised homestays for every district across the state. Travellers should look up this list before they plan on where to stay.
These are some of the things to keep a lookout for. Photo: OnmanoramaAccording to Bergman, the traveller from the Netherlands, it was not very difficult for him to find an ideal homestay that suited his convenience. All it took was just a little bit of research, and following one's gut instinct, that every traveller learns to respect.
How does a house get 'homestay' permit
The classification for Homestay units will be given only in those cases where the owner/promoter of the unit along with his/her family is physically residing in the same unit. Upto six rooms can be used for a homestay.
It is mandatory to get a classification by the Tourism department. The classification are Diamond, Gold and silver, based on the facilities available.
A seven member body lead by the tourism department joint director will approve the classification. A committee led by the tourism secretary will analyse the classification.
The pre-requisites are - Bedroom of minimum 120 sq. ft. carpet area with an attached bathroom of at least 30 sq.feet space, Telephone facility, Facility for pure drinking water and at least one family member who can speak English.
The application should be accompanied by; a clearance certificate from the Panchayat/ Municipality/Corporation, a Police Clearance Certificate from the Local Station House Officer, document regarding the ownership of the building, the important road stretches from the building, the building plan, a checklist of the facilities and services providing, the checklist should be duly filled in and signed on all pages and the pictures which depicts the interior and exterior of the house
The permission will be granted for three years and then renewed as per the need.
Disclaimer
The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Manorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.