Resorts & Homestays in Wayanad

Homestays and Resorts in Wayanad Kerala

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Home Stays In Kerala And Resorts In Kerala.- What Service A Traveler Can Expect?

(Write up first Published in March 2010)

Most Exotic Tourist Destinations in South India have large number of Resorts and Homestay providing Quality Accommodation to the Visiting Travelers. Though the concept of Homestay was first put into practice by Kerala Tourism, even in areas like Kodagu (Coorg) domestic and International Travelers now prefer to stay in Homestays. Leisure Travelers to Kerala prefer Resorts or Homestays compared to Business Hotels. Most of the exotic Tourist Destinations in Kerala are away from big cities and there are no big Business Hotels located in these areas. Travelers who want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of city life and who loves the serenity and cleanliness are now visiting exotic Kerala Hill stations like Munnar, Wayanad or areas of Back waters like Alleppey or Kumarakom. All these exotic places have large number of Resorts and Homestays to cater to the need of both domestic travelers and International clients.

In fact the words Resorts and Homestays have become so fashionable that every other business owner who offer a small lodging is now a days calling it a Homestay or a Resort. But what type of service a Traveler can expect to receive in Home Stays in Kerala and Resorts in Kerala.

What is a Resort in Kerala?

The word Resorts is used in different meanings in different contexts. According to dictionary definition, a Resort could be either a "place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting holiday travelers" Or it can also be an Accommodation Facility which provides almost all needs of a Traveler like Accommodation, Food, Drink, Sports, Entertainment, Ayurvedic Treatment, Spa etc.. In the former meaning, Wayanad, Munnar, Alleppey etc are world famous Destination Resorts. And you have tens of hundreds of “Resorts Accommodations” operating in various “Destination Resorts” in Kerala.

Some of these Resorts offer unique Services to guests. Karnataka Jungle Resorts (Resorts located in and around a forest area) tucked away from the urban crowds, offer packages which include a Safari into the forest where you can notice Wild Elephants and (if lucky) Tigers. Karnataka Tourism Department along with Forest Department is offering Safari to the forest at Bandipur National Park. Similar Safaris and Resort Accommodation are offered at BR Hillls also, but those packages are very expensive for the ordinary travelers. There are Fishing Resorts like Bheemeshwari Fishing and Nature Camp, on the banks of River Cauvery , where the travelers can stay in the remote village and experience the joy of fishing. Cauvery or Kaveri river offers both adventure and opportunity for nature lovers. Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp is well known for the great ‘Mahseer’ - the finest & the largest tropical sporting fish known to man. Some Resorts in Wayanad, Kerala offers Tree-Top Accommodation amidst the plantations areas. If you like to wake up in the morning, hearing the chirping of the birds and watching the sunrise in the eastern horizon, the concept of BirdWatching Resorts are becoming more popular. However, there are not many famous Bird Watching Resorts in India probably because; such Resorts attract more Bird Lovers and Special Group of Travelers.

The Concept of Kerala Homestays

According to various studies including that of World Travel and Tourism Council, Kerala’s travel and tourism demand is registering one of the world’ highest growth rate. This unprecedented increase of tourists to Kerala has given rise to the concept of Homestays in Kerala. They present a quality, affordable and secure accommodation option for all types of tourists. Not only do Homestays bridge the gap of quality accommodation in the State, it also play role in improving cultural exchanges and also help the benefits of tourism development reaching the lowest rungs of the society.

Kerala Tourism has done a commendable job in conceptualizing, creating awareness about, and implementing the Homestay Project with the active participation of ordinary people of Kerala. They have also come up with a procedure by which Homestays in Kerala are classified according to their amenities and quality of service provided. Diamone House, Gold House and Silver House Category. The Classification Scheme, renewable every 2 years, is implemented through the District Tourism Promotion Councils.

Kerala Tourism announces that in order to get approval for Homestays by the Department, Individuals or families who own a house of good quality in the State may come forward to offer at least 1 room and upto maximum 6 rooms for tourist accommodation. The Homestay owner along with his/her family should be physically residing in the same unit. This is to ensure the security of the guests who stay in the house and also to give guidance and other helps to the visiting guests. To get the approval, it is required that at least one of the family members is able to communicate in English. The houses in areas of tourism importance will get priority. Kerala Tourism charges the homestay owner, small fees for the expense of this procedure. The Homestay owners are permitted to use Kerala Tourism Brand.

A Police verification is necessary before getting approval from the Kerala Tourism. Once a Homestay starts operations, all the classified units shall have to submit Form C with passport details to the Police Station as done by the hotels while accommodating foreign nationals. These steps would ensure certain level of safety and security for the Guests who are staying in the Homestay Facility.

Interestingly, the District Panchayat President is the Chairman of the classification committee. Hence the local authorities are expected to have a good knowledge about the background of the Homestay Owner. Also the educational qualification of the Homestay owner also is taken into consideration while giving approval. Other members of Homestay Classification Committee are Additional Director/Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council, District Officer, Department of Tourism, Representative of Food Craft Institute, Representative of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA), Representative of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Representative of the Local Body in which the unit is located.

A State Level Committee will be monitoring the works done by District Level Committee. The Members of State Level committee, are Tourism Secretary, Tourism Director, KITTS Director, Representative of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association, Representative of IATO.

Besides giving Marketing guidance and Technical guidance Kerala Tourism gives continuous training programmes for Homestay Operators and also provide loans for improving the infrastructure and amenities of the Homestay Unit. Training programmes for the homestay operators are offered with through the Kerala Institute Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS), Food Craft Institute etc

It is interesting to Note that Kerala Tourism has given detailed guidelines to the Homestay Owners keeping in mind the requirement of an International Traveller. Some of these are made mandatory to get the approval from Tourism Department where as some others are listed in the "disirable" category.

General Guidelines - Clean and hygienic environment, Bedrooms, bathrooms, public areas and kitchens serviced daily while there are tourists, All floor surface clean and in good repair. Safety & Security of the Guest are ensured.

Guidelines for the Bed Rooms (Guest Rooms) - Minimum one room which can be let out, and maximum 6 rooms (12 beds) with attached toilets; All rooms must have good ventilation. Minimum size of bedroom excluding bathroom has to be 120 sq.ft. Air-conditioning. Daily changing of bed-sheets and linen daily and between check-in. Minimum bed width for single is 90 cm and double 120 cm. Mattress minimum 10 cm thick - coir, cotton, foam or spring. Minimum bedding 2 sheets, pillow & case, blanket (in air-conditioned rooms), mattress protector/bedcover, Sufficient lighting, 1 per bed. A 5 AMP earthed power socket. A bedside table and drawer. A writing surface with sufficient lighting. Chairs - preferably one per bedding. Wardrobe with minimum 4 cloth hangers per bedding. Shelves or drawer space. A wastepaper basket. Opaque curtains or screening for all windows. Drinking water + 1 glass tumbler per guest. A mirror, at least half length (3 feet). A ‘do not disturb’ notice.

Kerala Homestay Guidelines meant for Bathrooms. -Minimum size of bathroom 30 sq.ft. Western type WC. 1 bath towel and 1 hand towel to be provided per guest. One WC brush per toilet seat. Guest toiletries on request. Minimum 1 new soap/guest. A clothes-hook in each bath/shower room. A sanitary bin. Each western WC toilet to have a seat and lid, toilet paper. Floors and walls to have non-porous surfaces. Hot and cold running water available 24 hours. Water saving taps/shower. Energy saving lighting. Bottled toiletry products.

Homestays in Kerala Guidelines for Public Areas- Telephone facility. E-mail service. Dining room with quality furniture. Non-plastic crockery & glassware. Cutlery to be at least stainless steel

Kitchens -Refrigerator, Daily germicidal cleaning of floors, Clean utensils, All food grade equipment, containers. Ventilation system, Purified drinking water, Garbage to be segregated – wet and dry and disposed/treated.

While giving approval for Homestays, Exterior environment of the Homestay Facility including Landscaping and Gardens etc, Eco – friendly practices, Waste management etc are taken into consideration. If the Homestay is operated in Heritage building or Farm houses etc are also considered.

No wonder the commendable work by Kerala Tourism has got international acclaim and it is cited as the best example for building a brand "from bottom" by Management Gurus. And no wonder Kerala Tourism Department's Homestay concept has got wide approval and Several other Indian states have copied this idea to their states, albeit with partial success, to bridge the gap of quality Accommodation Facilities.

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* xxxx (Note first added on March 2010)

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References:
1. Kerala Tourism' Guidelines for Homestays.
2. www.junglelodges.com