Despite the Kerala government classifying homestays into various categories, tourists have often found it challenging to understand these distinctions and the specific amenities each category offers.
The state’s Tourism department first launched the concept of ‘approved and classified’ homestays in 2015. This initiative aimed to encourage homestays that offer genuine, homely experiences and promote a more immersive style of tourism.
Subsequently, these accommodations were sorted into three distinct quality tiers – Diamond, Gold, and Silver – based on their available amenities and overall standard.
While the official Kerala Tourism website proudly lists approximately 1,200 approved and classified homestays, a significantly larger number – around 5,000 – appear on various online booking platforms.
This disparity creates a dilemma for travelers, who often have no reliable way of confirming if a homestay listed online is genuinely classified and officially recognized.
To address this, M.P. Sivadathan, director of the Kerala Homestay and Tourism Society (Kerala HATS), revealed to The Hindu that a new system is being implemented. Approved and classified homestays will now prominently display a QR code alongside the Kerala Tourism logo. Scanning this code will directly lead tourists to the official Kerala Tourism website, confirming the establishment’s classification status.
Furthermore, Kerala HATS has collaborated with Zotel.ai to create an online platform, ‘stayhats.com’. This website will serve as a comprehensive directory, showcasing various homestays across different destinations and allowing customers to conveniently browse and book their stays online.
This innovative approach aims to enhance transparency, protecting tourists from unauthorized operators and ensuring they book legitimate, quality accommodations. Mr. Sivadathan also mentioned that Kerala HATS has already launched an e-directory of registered and approved homestays, accessible in 170 countries.
Currently, Kerala boasts 1,200 officially classified homestays. However, a recent joint initiative by the Local Self-Government department and the Home department uncovered an additional 2,400 unlisted homestays operating within the state.
Officials state that proactive measures are now underway to integrate these unregistered properties into the government’s legal framework. This involves encouraging them to officially register and obtain proper classification, either as a homestay or a serviced villa, depending on their offerings and facilities.