In view of the large influx of visitors, the district administration has issued a set of mandatory guidelines for all resort, hotel and home-stay owners.
According to the decision taken in a recent meeting, all establishments must maintain a guest register, recording the name, Aadhaar card details, complete address, mobile number, and vehicle number of every visitor. In the case of foreign tourists, their visa, passport, and flight ticket must be verified and duly entered in the register. Tourists must also be informed about local attractions, route maps, as well as the opening and closing timings of tourist spots.
Owners are required to reside within the premises, interact with visitors, provide appropriate guidance, and create awareness about local customs and laws. Tourists must be cautioned against visiting isolated or unsafe areas. Every establishment must compulsorily install first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and CCTV cameras, preserve CCTV footage for 45 days, and display boards stating “You are under CCTV surveillance.”
The order strictly prohibits narcotic substances and alcohol. From 6 pm on October 1 until 6 am on October 3, coinciding with Dasara and Gandhi Jayanti, the sale, storage, and consumption of liquor will be completely banned across the district. Accommodation must be denied to any tourist found intoxicated or in possession of alcohol or narcotics. Violations will lead to cancellation of licenses and legal action against the property owners.
Resort, hotel, and home-stay owners have also been instructed to provide separate bins for dry and wet waste. The Madikeri City Municipal Council has already banned plastic water bottles of less than two liters capacity, and compliance is mandatory.
Tourists are advised not to engage in illegal activities, and property owners must ensure strict adherence to these rules. In case of emergencies, assistance can be sought through the Deputy Commissioner’s 24×7 helpline numbers 08272-221077, 08272-221099, or from the Superintendent of Police, Kodagu District, at 9480804900 / 08272-228330,
Source: B. Basappa, Deputy Director of Tourism.
