The Kerala government’s announcement that home stays need not pay commercial tariff on power has been welcomed by the states homestay industry.
Speaking at the inauguration of the fourth State-level annual convention and workshop organised by Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society (Kerala-HATS) in Kochi, on Saturday, the Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies K. V. Thomas said," The tourism sector plays a crucial role in ensuring the State’s development. Thus, steps must be taken to ensure basic infrastructure in tourism locales."
"But tourism promotion must not be at the cost of the State’s culture. Accommodation units like home stays help in showcasing the State’s culture and heritage to tourists."
"They provide hospitality in a homely setting and numerous tourists prefer this, boosting the State’s tourism sector."
Mr. Thomas added that garbage disposal is a major issue haunting the State.
“This has affected the tourism sector too. Most home stays have their own garbage-treatment systems and rain water-harvesting plants.”
Meanwhile, Attempts are on to make Kumbalanghi a solar-powered village.
Under this initiative, street lights on either side of roads will be powered by solar energy, he said. A book titled ‘Home stay business’ too was released. In his address, the Minister for Tourism A. P. Anil Kumar said steps will be taken to prevent unlicensed home stays from cropping up at different locales in the State.
He said that an inter-departmental meeting will be convened to discuss the possibility of compounding the different taxes that are levied on home stays.
The chairman of Kerala-HATS, P. N. Prasannakumar said attempts are being made to create a national confederation of home stays.
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