Karnataka - Mysore   

Information centre for tourists to start functioning from June 1

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, MAY 26. Tourists coming to Mysore need not grope in the dark for authentic information on places of interest any longer. This is because the Mysore Visitors' Information Centre (MVIC) is all set to function from June 1.

Described as a one-stop shop to source information pertaining to Mysore and surrounding areas, the MVIC is a product of the Mysore Agenda Task Force's (MATF) initiative to promote tourism in the city. Though details pertaining to a few monuments or places of interest are available, they do not fulfil the requirements of tourists seeking comprehensive information to plan their holiday. The MVIC is expected to fill this gap.

The MVIC will function from the Mayura Yatri Nivas on Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation has offered it a rent-free premise to operate. Aroon Raman, managing director, Raman Boards, told The Hindu that the idea of launching the MVIC was to have a single source from where an average tourist or visitor could secure information pertaining to the region. Already, three or four persons had been trained to assist visitors and provide them with information, while a comprehensive booklet covering Mysore and other important monuments around the city had been compiled for the benefit of tourists.

The booklet would be expanded and revised in the subsequent editions and it was expected to be a guidebook containing authentic information on all aspects of the city. A feedback form would be enclosed in each booklet so that readers might furnish additional information on places of interest or any other aspect of the city. These details would be incorporated in the future editions.

The MATF has also planned a newsletter to focus on the events in the city which may be of interest to the visitors. An online database, which is expected to be exhaustive and all-inclusive, has also been planned with the Mysore-based Excel Soft Company.

The initiative assumes significance in the light of the poor promotional work to project the tourism potential of Mysore among tourists. Though the MVIC will start functioning on June 1, the promoters hope to have a formal launch after the formation of the new Government. Internet facilities would also be provided at the station and the information kiosk would also have a bookshop dealing with books pertaining to Mysore, its art and culture and other aspects which might be of interest to tourists.

Sources pointed out that the tourism potential of Mysore was immense, but the sector had languished all these years in the absence of institutional support. But the MVIC initiative and the action plan of the Confederation of Indian Industry to promote Mysore, the preliminary work for for which was under way, combined with the introduction of the Palace on Wheels early next year augurs well for tourism.

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