BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 17 JULY 2023:
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and tourism minister Hanumanthagowda Krishnegowda Patil are both leading from the front and has taken several positive steps to boost tourism in the state of Karnataka.
In the 14 th budget, the Karnataka CM has announced several projects that will further bolster the tourism prospects of the state including infrastructure development projects, including private sector participation in the tourism sector.
The Karnataka government is also preparing a Master Plan for Future Vision of development in the travel and tourism sector.
As a step towards this activity road shows have been organized and the Karnataka Tourism department is taking part in the travel fairs throughout the country and abroad.
Mr. Jagadeesha G, MD of KSTDC and Mr. Jagdish Ram Manohar Prashant, Director of Tourism are also playing a very key role in promoting tourism in India and abroad.
Karnataka Tourism has also participated in Kolkata Travel and Tourism Fair -2023 this month. West Bengal Tourism Minister, Babul Supriyo has inaugurated the pavilion of Karnataka Tourism.
Talking to The Travel and Tourism Times, Smt. B.G.Indiramma, General Manager ( Finance) of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation said that huge funds have been released by the state government to improve the tourism infrastructure.
“ Our government is focusing on several key areas to boost tourism. Which includes Rural, Health and Wellness, Heritage, Agricultural, eco and coastal tourism. KSTDC own 26 hotels located throughout the popular destinations in the state and also has its own transportation including 36 super deluxe buses,” she said.
Smt. B.G.Indiramma further added that some of its very popular hotels are in Nandi Hill , Madikeri ( popularly known as the Kashmir of Karnataka) and also in Ooty of Tamil Nadu.
“ But our most popular has been the Tirupati Temple Darshan package at a cost of Rs.2650 , pilgrims can stay at a luxury hotel,special darshan of Balajee will be arranged and will return back within 24 hours. It takes 4 hours from Bengaluru,”she said.
Dr. Varaprasada Rao, Project Manager ( Finance) of Karnataka Tourism said that a coastal tourism task force will also be set up with emphasis to develop coastal beach tourism in three coastal districts of Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada districts .
“To attract the foreign tourists, in the Sasihithlu beach in Mangalore an international surfing destination will come up in PPP mode. From beaches to museums, there will be a lot of new attractions in Karnataka. Total 16 museums to be developed in the state including Bengaluru, Gadag and Kalaburagi,” added Dr. Varaprasada Rao.
The Karnataka government has also planned to set up helicopter or air tourism facilities in the state at tourist destinations with private sector participation. Even the private sector will be allowed to set up Yatra Niwas and tourism hotspots.
To boost the eco tourism sector the GI tagged products like coffee plantations and Mysore mallige jasmine will be opened up for the tourists.
At religious places and temples multimedia light and sound shows will take place.
The Jungle Lodge Resorts, which is under the department of forests runs 29 resorts across Karnataka in places like wildlife, beach and heritage sites .
Devbagh Beach Resort, Hampi Heritage Resort, Bandipur, Kabini, K Gudi Wilderness Camp , Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg, nature camps at Bheemeshwari jungle resort,Bannerghatta nature camp resort etc. Even in backwaters it has resorts.
Bandipur and Kabini are tiger forests and attract a large number of wildlife lovers.
A film city will also be developed at cost of Rs.500 crores on 70 to 80 acres of land at Nanjangud area of Mysore.
Karnataka – A destination where wonder meets experience :
Karnataka, the sixth largest state in India, cannot be felt, it has to be lived. It’s majestically bestowed with everything from plains to mountains, valleys to rivers, high-rises to ancient temples, and artificial gardens to coffee plantations.
The Majestic black panthers, which resembles the iconic fictional character Bagheera of Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book are found in the deep forests in Kabini and Bandipur.
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