An illuminated street in Mysuru on September 24, 2025. Madikeri in Kodagu district is about 120 km from Mysuru by road.
| Photo Credit: Sriram M A
With the Dasara festival drawing domestic as well as international tourists and public to Kodagu, the Tourism Department of Karnataka has issued a list of guidelines for the owners of resorts, hotels and home stays to not only collect the details of visitors, but also provide them complete information about the tourist spots in the district.“Upon arrival, the resorts, hotels and home stays should record the names of the guests, Aadhaar card, complete address, mobile number and vehicle number of all tourists. In case of foreign tourists, their visa, passport and flight ticket must be verified and mandatorily recorded in the register,” stated B. Basappa Deputy Director of Tourism, Kodagu.“Tourists must be given complete information about the district’s tourist spots, route maps, and the opening and closing timings of these sites,” according to the statement.Owners have been told to compulsorily reside in the premises, interact with tourists and their travel plans, provide proper guidance and inform them about the local customs and laws.Instructions had also been issued to ensure that tourists do not venture towards isolated or unsafe areas. A first-aid box and fire extinguisher must be compulsorily installed at their premises, the Deputy Director of Tourism stated.“CCTV cameras must be compulsorily installed, maintained properly, and recordings of at least 45 days preserved,” he stated adding that a board stating “You are under CCTV surveillance” must also be displayed.While asking the owners of resorts, hotels and home stays to take preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident or misconduct, any such occurrence must be immediately reported to the authorities. “Otherwise, the owners will be held responsible and legal action will be taken against them,” according to the statement.While issuing a warning against permitting use of any narcotic substances or alcohol in their premises, the guidelines pointed out that sale of liquor is strictly prohibited from 6 p.m. of October 1 to 6 a.m. of October 3 in view of Dasara and Gandhi Jayanti.“Therefore, no liquor bottle or intoxicant of any kind should be stored, used or sold. Rooms must not be given to tourists found to be intoxicated, or carrying alcohol and narcotics,” according to the statement issued by the Deputy Director of Tourism. “If such cases are found, the licence will be cancelled, and legal action will be taken against the owner.”While asking for separate bins for dry and wet waste in the premises, the statement pointed out that plastic drinking water bottles below 2 litres are banned within Madikeri city limits and states: “Compliance is mandatory”.In case of an emergency, people can contact the following 24x7 helplines — 08272-221077/ 08272-221099 (Deputy Commissioner’s office), and 9480804900/08272-228330 (Office of Superintendent of Police). Published - September 25, 2025 04:07 pm IST
