Awareness campaign for homestay entrepreneurs

KOCHI: The Kerala State Homestay and Tourism Association (Kerala HATS) is all set to launch an awareness campaign among homestay entrepreneurs to ensure transparent functioning of homestays in Kochi.The Kerala HATS was formed to serve as a consortium of homestay providers and tourism promoters for the effective co-ordination of tourism activities in Kerala and also to ensure qualitative and competitive services. According to the statistics available with the Kerala HATS, while, there are only 65 authorised and classified homestays in Kochi, the number of unauthorised homestays is more than 300. Kerala HATS director M P Sivadattan said the functioning of unauthorised homestays is a threat to those who run authorised and classified homestays. “Most of the unauthorised homestays function in the West Kochi region and are flouting set norms. They are not even classified. Untoward incidents occur in such homestays,” said Sivadattan. “Often, the unauthorised homestays sabotage the whole concept behind homestays.  Homestay means that the owner and the family should reside in the same building that is offered for the stay. Unauthorised homestays only provide an accommodation facility in a building with a caretaker,” he said. “Homestays can be classified as diamond, gold and silver. Owners of classified homestays maintain all requisite parametres while unauthorised ones do nothing and manage them as their wish,” Sivadattan said. A classified homestay is listed and marketed by the tourism department. The Kerala HATS was formed to facilitate aspiring homestay entrepreneurs. We will launch an awareness campaign among the homestay entrepreneurs and those who plan to begin such a facility. A meeting will be held to discuss how to improve the functioning of homestays. Though, only authorised homestays have membership in the Kerala HATS, we have invited everyone as even the owners of unauthorised facilities should be aware of the importance of being classified,” he said. Sivadattan  added that the Kerala  HATS would provide required assistance for classifying homestays, improving the facilities and getting clearances from various government agencies.