The Kerala State Tourism Department intends to give approval for 1500 home stays in Kerala. There are many benefits if you get the recognition of Kerala State Tourism Promotion Council for starting a home stay. Logo of the Kerala Tourism can be used and the home stays can be improved by taking loans from the government.
The District Tourism Promotion Council classifies the home stays according to its standards. Depending upon the facilities, the houses are classified under three categories :
1. Diamond House - Class A
2. Gold House - Class B
3. Silver House - Class C
A home stay can have a minimum of one room to a maximum of 6 rooms. The house owner or his family members should stay with the guests in the home stay. At least one family member should have the ability to communicate in English. The houses in the tourist areas will get more priority to start home stays.
Applying for starting a Home Stay
For starting a home stay, apply to : The Director, Department of Tourism, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
The fees for Class A Home stays is Rs.3000, for Class B, it is Rs.2000 and Class C Rs.1000. The application should be accompanied by a clearance certificate from the Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation, clearance certificate from the local police station, document regarding the ownership of the building, the important road sketches from the building, the building plan and the pictures which depicts the interior of the house.
Conditions for issuing a Home Stay Certificate : The location of the building, hygiene, educational qualification of the applicant and his family members and the importance of the place with respect to tourism are all important factors while issuing a Home Stay Certificate.
The guest room in the homestay should be
* bath attached
* the bed room should be 120 sq.feet
* bath room should be 30 sq.feet
* room should have telephone facility
* facility for pure drinking water
For more information on Home Stay, enquire at the respective District
Tourism Promotion Council office or at : Department of Tourism, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695003, Phone : 0471 232279
Website : http://www.keralatourism.org/
Home Stay Owners Association Website : http://www.keralahomestaysonline.com/