A disturbing trend of security breaches in the tourism sector has left travellers questioning the safety of the very places meant to be their 'home away from home.' Recent reports from India, including a chilling assault in Kodagu, have exposed deep cracks in how guest safety is handled in private homestays and hotels.
The incident in Kodagu was particularly alarming. A foreign tourist was drugged and assaulted, only to find herself trapped because the property's internet was deliberately cut off. Even worse, the owners allegedly tried to cover up the crime rather than assist the victim. This case is not an isolated event but part of a worrying pattern of negligence across various tourist hotspots.
From hidden cameras in Kerala to unauthorized room entries in Goa, these incidents highlight a massive failure in staff vetting and guest protection. In many regions, the rapid growth of the tourism industry has completely outpaced government oversight. Thousands of homestays are operating in an informal grey zone, often without any official registration or background checks on their employees.
Experts are now calling for a mandatory 'right to safety' for all travellers. This would mean moving away from loose, informal arrangements and towards a strictly regulated system. A digital, government-monitored portal where tourists can scan a QR code to verify a property’s license and safety standards could be the game-changer needed to stop these abuses.
While digital systems can improve oversight, the responsibility ultimately rests with property owners. Providing a safe environment should not be an optional extra; it must be a core requirement of the business. Unless the industry adopts global security standards—such as proper surveillance and strict access control—tourists will continue to be at risk in the places they visit to relax.
Source: deccanherald.com
photo: pexels
