BANGALORE: Buoyed by the enhanced budgetary allocation for tourism (from Rs. 16 crores to Rs. 52 crores), the Tourism Department has chalked out several programmes to firm up public-private partnerships. Confirming this strategy at "Connect `06-Karnataka Tourism" organised by the department here on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Tourism Minister B. Sriramulu said finance will not be a constraint to tap the tourism potential of Karnataka.

While the private sector listed out roadblocks in developing tourismin the State, government officials, led by Principal Secretary L. Shantakumari, held out promises, stating that these challenges have to be overcome together. Acknowledging the stumbling blocks in tourism, Ms. Shantakumari said the Government will come up with a road map that will be pro-active. The department has identified 700 km of roads leading to various tourist destinations and these will be repaired/upgraded by zilla panchayats and the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs. 50 crores. Ms. Shantakumari said the other challenges include strengthening public-private partnership, upgrading tourism-related infrastructure, clearance of projects by single window agency, improving air and road connectivity, relaxation of taxation policies such as exemption from entry tax, and power and water subsidy for hotels.

She said the department has developed eight circuits covering 98 tourist destinations. They are Belgaum (11 destinations), Madikeri (11), Malnad (19), Bijapur (17), Maidan (12), Southern I (7) and II (6), and Coastal (15).

At these destinations, the development will be at three levels: strengthening basic facilities, providing amenities for budget travellers and setting up three-star and five star accommodation. For the budget traveller, it will invite private entrepreneurs to develop and operate tourist complexes, restaurants and amusement parks.

Ms. Shantakumari also invited the private sector for joint ventures to set up three-star and five-star facilities. About 25 acres of land at Hampi is under consideration for a joint venture with Casino Group of Hotels, she said.

Dispelling the notion that getting hotel accommodation in Bangalore is "tough," General Manager, Taj West End, P.K. Mohan Kumar said that on weekends, accommodation is easily available. Mr. Mohan Kumar said the Government has to review the luxury tax structure, which is the highest in the State at 12.5 per cent on published tariff. Connect 06 also had presentations on eco-tourism by "Tiger" Ramesh, Chief Executive Officer, Wilderness Resorts; on home stay by Micky Kalappa, President, Coorg Eco-Tourism Promotion Council; connectivity and tourism by Ayappa Sommaiah of SITA; and marketing and promotion of Karnataka by Jose Ramapuram, Director of Trails.

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