Madikeri: Kodagu accounts for nearly 80% of the 500 homestay registration applications submitted in Karnataka following the tourism department’s directive mandating registration of all homestays operating in the state.Officials said the applications are being scrutinised, and those failing to meet prescribed guidelines are being rejected. Applicants can rectify deficiencies and resubmit their applications.Kodagu currently has 1,656 registered homestays, including 822 in Madikeri taluk, 322 in Virajpet, 240 in Somwarpet, 182 in Kushalnagar and 90 in Ponnampet.After online applications are submitted, a joint team comprising officials from the tourism department, police department, DC office, zilla panchayat and District Urban Development Cell conducts inspections. Registration certificates are issued only after infrastructure, security, cleanliness and other standards are verified. The registration remains valid for five years.Earlier, the district had 2,160 registered homestays. Of these, around 1,650 have renewed their registrations, while others are yet to do so for various reasons. Further, 15 homestay operators have submitted written requests to the tourism department seeking cancellation of their licences, sources said.
