The tourism department in Dakshina Kannada district has received 256 applications seeking permission to open homestays under the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) (KTTF) Act. The number of applications for homestay permissions has increased compared with previous years. In 2024-25, the district received fewer than 220 applications. Due to strict conditions, permission was granted for only 176 out of 256 applications in 2025-26.
Application Process and Requirements
According to officials, all applications for homestays should be submitted through the 'KTTF Application for Homestay' option in the Seva Sindhu portal of the government. Applicants must submit photographs of the owner, interior rooms, exterior, front view and bathroom interiors of the homestay along with the application. Further, documents including the ownership (property khata copy document with the name of the owner), residence certificate from the competent authority, NOC from police department (local jurisdiction), and an NOC from local body also need to be submitted.
Seasonal Trends and Official Comments
Tourism department deputy director (in-charge), Dileep Kumar, said that the department has been getting a good number of applications for homestay approvals. "Now it is not the season for homestays. Generally, the peak season begins in October and continues till December," he said. This indicates that the current surge in applications is not tied to immediate demand but reflects growing interest in the homestay sector.
Major Tourism Projects in the Pipeline
The government has already initiated 42 tourism projects worth Rs 3,198.31 crore to be established across the state. Out of the 42 projects, 10 were proposed through private partnership in Dakshina Kannada. Letters of intent have been submitted to the government by 10 investors in Dakshina Kannada during the Karnataka Coastal Conclave-2026 held in Mangaluru in January. Various tourism projects worth Rs 822.5 crore will be implemented in the district, he said. These projects are expected to boost the region's tourism infrastructure and create new opportunities for homestay operators.
