Last date for registration of homestays extended till Dec 1

The Karnataka Tourism Department today extended the last date for registration of homestays in the state, till December 1.
Earlier, it was announced that, today (November 15), will be the last date for registering homestays.
"Homestay owners have cited various reasons for not being able to register their homestays and have requested the Department of Tourism for extension of last date," the department said in a release.
It said, hence, the last date for registering homestayshas been extended till December 1, no further extension ofdate will be provided by the Department of Tourism.
"Homestays that do not register by December 1, 2016 will be deemed illegal and action will be taken, penalties will be imposed," it added.

Government that intends to promote "healthy and safe" environment for tourists, had launched an online portal in www.Karnatakatourism.Org for registration of homestays in Karnataka.
Stating that the registration was aimed at maintaininga database of homestays in the state and to monitor theiractivities, Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge had earlier said,"We are not just trying to regulate them, but trying toensure that they give best of services to tourists."
Tourism department officials said, there aremore than 4,000 home stays in Kodagu district and about 2,500in Chikkamagaluru district, along with considerable presencein Hubballi, Belagavi, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan districts.