Connect 2004 Discusses Major Plans For Karnataka Tourism

Vyas Sivanand - Bangalore

Karnataka tourism has embarked on an aggressive drive to promote its self as the state of the future in the area of tourism. At the recently held third ‘Connect-2004’ event a number of ambitious tourism initiatives were put forth by the decision makers of the state tourism set up. The state of Karnataka is even trying to put its act in place with the hope of hosting the 2016 Olympics in the city. Other earnest hopes include hosting high profile tournaments like the PGA(Golf Tournament) and the ATP(Tennis Tournament). The state government also seems to be keen on hosting the Formula One race in the city. All of this it hopes to do with the help of the private sector while the government acts as an enabler or a facilitator. Other mega projects that the state aims to activate is the setting up of an international convention centre and an international exhibition centre.

“Our aim is to portray Karnataka as a preferred sports destination. We plan to have world class sports facilities in the state. We are bidding for hosting Formula One races in the state and our only competition is from Andhra Pradesh, which is also bidding for the same,” said Mahendra Jain, tourism commissioner, Karnataka. Karnataka was also the recipient of the highest financial and technical support from the central government for tourism. The assistance given is mainly because the state tourism department had been very pro-active, according to Rathi Vinay Jha, chairperson and managing director of India Trade Promotion Organisation(ITPO). The state started looking at tourism as a major source of income only in since the year 2002. The state has also formulated certain programmes to promote the tourism such as holding road shows and direct marketing in potential markets etc. The state recently started another strategy of marketing the destination by actively promoting healthcare tourism, an offshoot of the specialty hospitals and medical expertise which brings in patients from all over the world.

Another segment that the government plans to cash in is religion. “Religious visits have brought in a number of tourists to the state. Destinations with a regious appeal have attracted visitors both foreign nationals and Indian. A number of devotees visit Sai Baba’s ashram in Whitefield, Bangalore and Sri Sri Ravishanker’s Art of Living institute which is also in Bangalore. Both these places are a stopover for pilgrims on their way to Tirupathi. Another advantage, which the government plans to cash in on, is the Goa factor. The state has a close proximity to Goa and can attract tourists in large numbers from the region, added J Alexander, tourism minister, Karnataka.

In addition to this, there is education tourism which the state aims to promote on a serious note. Students from across the country journey to the state to get enrolled in the various engineering colleges and institutions, such as the IIM and others. World class campuses of the infotech companies, like Infosys and Wipro, have attracted heads of state and foreign dignitaries to the state. Bangalore is also being promoted as the future MICE destination of the country. Tour operators see good business potential in pre and post-convention tours for participants. The state government has also identified spots for wildlife tourism.

Adds, Jain, “Karnataka has one of the best forest covers in the country. The state is now trying to get the private industry to set up facilities in these places. For this, the government has recommended Rs 126 crore for infrastructure development”.

The international airport for which construction has just taken off, might become a reality in five years. Private contribution to the sector is also coming in from airlines like the Air Deccan Aviation, the country’s first no-frills airline based in Bangalore. The airline has managed to put smaller towns on the air map. The state, on its part, has brought out promotional literature, which won the award for the best tourism literature in the country. It has also brought out a directory in print and a CD on heritage centres. Efforts are also on to partner with the more successful neighbour in this sector, Kerala. The state is also awaiting the Rs 31 crore Palace on Wheels from Goa to Bangalore, a long-pending proposal, to finally be realised.

Recently, the state government signed a MoU with Ace cricketer Rahul Dravid and Cine artist and singer Vasundhara Das to serve as honourary ambassadors of the state to promote tourism for three years.