Document Portal -- Government of Kerala

Tourism Department mandates basic facilities for taxi drivers at hotels

To help improve conditions for taxi drivers, the state government has issued a new mandate requiring all classified hotels and tourist accommodations to provide essential facilities for drivers who transport tourists. The decision was taken considering the important role taken up by taxi drivers in the tourism industry to ensure the safe and comfortable travel of tourists across the state.

Under the new order, hotels, resorts, and homestays are required to offer restrooms, rest areas, and other basic amenities for drivers arriving with tourists. Compliance with these requirements will be a determining factor in the accommodation's classification by the tourism department. The Director of Tourism will manage the enforcement of this mandate to ensure that all eligible establishments meet the required standards.

The directive comes after a productive meeting between labour representatives and tour operators' associations, which highlighted the pressing need for better support for drivers in the tourism industry. As part of the broader initiative, the tourism department plans to issue special ID cards for drivers and organize sector-specific awareness programs. The new measures are expected to promote better working conditions for drivers and ensure a more pleasant journey for tourists. For more information, the official government order can be accessed here (https://document.kerala.gov.in/documents/governmentorders/govtorder0209202416:44:47.pdf).

09-09-2024