Kasaragod: The Department of Tourism in Kerala has announced a significant increase in the rates for guest houses and Yathri Nivas --a lodging and boarding facility for tourists. This hike will take effect from November 1.

The rental rates for various guesthouses, including those in Ponmudi, Varkala, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Peermade, Aluva, Thrissur, and Sultan Bathery, have seen dramatic increases—often doubling or more. In Malappuram, the rent for suite rooms has more than doubled, while the same is true for double non-AC suite rooms in Kasaragod.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the rates at the government guest house have changed as follows: the AC single room rate has increased from Rs.700 to Rs 1200, the double room from Rs 1000 to Rs 1800, and the suite from Rs 2000 to Rs 3300. In Kovalam, one of the two government guest houses on the beach, the AC double room rate has risen from Rs 1000 to Rs 1800, while suite rooms have also increased from Rs 2000 to Rs 3300.

In Kannur, guests will now pay Rs 1800 for an AC double room instead of the previous Rs 800. The deluxe rooms are priced at Rs 2500, while suite rooms now cost Rs 3300. Conference halls are also available for rent on a half-day and full-day basis. The half-day rental for the hall at Thiruvananthapuram's Thycaud Guest House has surged from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000, while the full-day rate has increased from Rs 1500 to Rs 5000.

The rates for the Mumbai and Kanyakumari Kerala Houses have also seen an increase. Notably, the Kozhikode government guest house had its rent increased in 2022, which means it will not be subject to the latest hikes this time around.