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The Kerala Chief Minister Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan has urged top officials to prioritize hygiene and safety at the state's tourism centres, with particular emphasis on enhancing the cleanliness and security of public amenities and promoting homestay tourism.
During a comprehensive review of Kerala’s tourism sector, Shri Vijayan instructed officials to ensure that public toilets, showrooms, cloakrooms and dormitories at tourist locations are maintained at high standards of cleanliness. He emphasized that the Tourism Department should expand its clean destination campaign to include beaches, weekend holiday spots and hill resorts, ensuring that these areas remain litter-free. The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of employing sanitation workers to manage waste disposal in a timely and scientific manner.
In his address, Shri Vijayan also focused on the need for increased regulation and safety in the tourism sector. He called for strict enforcement of safety standards for houses and pleasure boats, particularly emphasizing that all boats, including those operated by resort owners, must be regularly inspected and equipped with trained lifeguards, buoys and sufficient number of life jackets for tourists. He urged resort operators to comply with these safety measures to protect the well-being of visitors.
To further bolster safety, the Chief Minister mandated police clearance for all tourism sector employees, and directed the Excise Department to curb public drinking, especially in tourist areas. He also called for the installation of surveillance cameras at sensitive locations and the mitigation of stray dog issue, which has deterred tourists from visiting popular beaches like Kovalam.
Additionally, Shri Vijayan encouraged homestay owners to secure GST registration and obtain the necessary licenses from local authorities before commencing operations, thereby formalizing and regulating the homestay sector.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Chief Secretary Shri V. Venu, the Additional Chief Secretary Shri Bishwanath Sinha, the state Police Chief Shri Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, the Fire and Rescue Department Chief Shri K. Padmakumar, and the Tourism Secretary Shri K. Biju.
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