Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan instructed top officials to prioritise safety and hygiene at tourism centers and promote homestay tourism.

Following a review of the state’s tourism sector, Vijayan urged homestay operators to obtain GST registration and local licenses before starting their businesses.

He directed officials to maintain cleanliness and proper facilities in public toilets, showrooms, cloakrooms, and dormitories at tourist sites. The Tourism department is tasked with expanding its clean destination campaign to ensure beaches, holiday spots, and hill resorts remain litter-free, employing sanitation workers for timely and effective waste management.

Vijayan also called for stringent measures against houses and pleasure boats lacking inland navigation safety licenses. Authorities should regularly inspect all boats, including those operated by resorts, and ensure they have trained lifeguards, buoys, and adequate life jackets for tourists.

Vijayan told the Excise department to discourage drinking in public places. He called for installing surveillance cameras in sensitive destinations and mitigating the stray dog menace that prompts tourists to stay away from beaches, including Kovalam.

He made police clearance mandatory for tourism sector employees.

Chief Secretary V. Venu, Additional Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, State Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, Fire and Rescue Department Chief K. Padmakumar and Tourism Secretary K. Biju were present.