DOMESTIC TOURISTS PERCEPTION ABOUT FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT HOMESTAYS IN COCHIN.

Homestay is the provision of alternative accommodation arrangements for the tourists by the residents. The Homestays are operated by individual or as community. In Kerala most of the homestays are operated by members of the family, Homestays are in and around the tourist attractions. The main objectives of the homestay are to increase the income of the homestay operators and also help the tourist to understand the local culture, by staying and sharing a room from the operators’ house. By staying in homestay tourists will have close interaction with the operators as well as the villagers. The main services offered by the homestay are accommodation, food, transport arrangements, accompanying tourists during their visits as guide and helping them for better purchase of the local products. Cochin is the important tourism destinations in Kerala, and it is an important beach destination having tourism attractions like beaches, temples, museums, basilica, bird sanctuary, waterfalls, cultural centers, palace, marine drive, amusement park, fort, shopping malls etc. The main advantages of homestay are distinctive accommodation, personalized services, local knowledge, homecooked food and unique activities. In Kerala Homestay tourism is familiar in Cochin, Wayanad, Alleppey, Munnar. There are around 3000 homestays are available in Kerala state. The Ernakulam district alone has 400 homestays, of which 250 homestays operates in Fort Kochi alone. A per the government norms, a homestay can have minimum of one room to six rooms and in each room, they can keep two beds to accommodate tourists. This research focuses on the tourist’s perception about the homestay operations in Kochi.