Mysuru: In the wake of the alleged sexual assault of a foreign tourist at a homestay in Kodagu, Mysuru deputy commissioner and District Tourism Development Committee chairperson G Lakshmikanth Reddy has ordered stringent measures to ensure tourist safety.The DC directed all homestays operating without registration from the tourism department to shut down immediately. Operators violating the order and continuing business will face strict legal action.Reddy said homestay owners must obtain all mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs), including from the police and local authorities, and register with the tourism department. Until registration is completed, such establishments cannot provide accommodation to tourists.Officials have also been directed to conduct surprise inspections to verify safety measures, including CCTV installation, maintenance of guest records and staff background verification.The DC further ordered that emergency contact numbers be prominently displayed at all homestays, including 112, the National Tourist Helpline 1800-11-1363/1363, Women’s Safety Helpline 181, Child Helpline 1098, the nearest hospital or relevant authority numbers, the tourism department assistant/deputy director’s office (0821-2422096), the deputy commissioner’s office (0821-2424079), the Disaster Management Authority (0821-2423800), the local gram panchayat/ULB office, and the Sakhi one-stop centre phone numbers, the DC stated.Stay Only in Registered Homestays: DCTourists visiting Mysuru have been advised to stay only in tourism department-approved and licensed homestays or hotels. Visitors should verify an establishment’s registration status before checking in, the DC said.
