Raids at homestays hit tourism in Kochi

Kochi: Even though the tourism department has offered several sops for homestays and serviced villas, the insensitive attitude of other departments and the lack of coordination affect the sector badly. Raids conducted by excise and police authorities has forced many foreign tourists to flee Kochi. Fearing the raids and police action many tourists had left for Goa and other beach destinations, said industry sources.

Excise authorities raided homestays in Fort Kochi on Saturday to check whether liquor was being served to foreign guests. Protest is mounting over the insensitive manner of conducting the raid. “We suspect deliberate attempts to ruin the homestay industry in Fort Kochi. Such raids will keep guests away. Despite having a good network system to monitor violation of liquor policy norms by any operator, why are the authorities insulting the hosts and guests? Such inspections will tarnish the image and will keep guests away at a time when countries like Sri Lanka are offering attractive homestay packages,” said Antony Kureethara, former Corporation councillor and office bearer of the Tourism Promoters' Association.

Even though Fort Kochi has more than 68 homestays and serviced villas in Fort Kochi, their business volume has been on the downward trend since 2013 due to many factors including a new liquor policy. “We want to promote quality tourism and are not against raids to check violations of the liquor policy. But, the raids can be effectively carried out if there is better coordination between agencies such as the tourism department, police and excise department. The police have a monitoring system to check whether liquor is being served in homestays,” said M.P Sivadathan, director of Kerala State Homestay and Tourism Association (Kerala HATS).

“Foreigners are very concerned about their privacy and rushing into their rooms at odd times is insulting for both the homestay owner and guests. Such situations should be avoided. The police and excise authorities should have a better system to inspect homestays without disturbing the hosts and guests,” he added.