Karnataka - Madikeri   

Rs. 7 crore being spent to boost tourism in Kodagu

Madikeri: The Government is spending Rs. 7 crore to develop tourism in Kodagu district this year, Principal Secretary of the Department of Tourism and Kannada and Culture I.M. Vittala Murthy has said.

He was speaking to presspersons here on Thursday on the sidelines of a function to mark the inauguration of a private resort at Hachinad in Ammathi of Virajpet taluk. Work for tourism development projects in Kodagu would start next month, he said.

The Government had laid focus on developing tourism in a big way in the State, Mr. Murthy said.

Karnataka had immense potential in the area. Tourism-related courses had started in five colleges in the State.

The Mysore Heritage Centre would be inaugurated on September 24 in Mysore and the Kodagu district administration had provided land for setting up the Kodava Heritage Centre.

The Government had already released Rs. 88 lakh for setting up the centre in Kodagu, he said.

Mr. Murthy said tourism was the second highest job provider in the world. But, only those with a flair for it should involve themselves in the business.

It also assured income to tourism operators. More tourism-related programmes would be announced after the Dasara festivities, he said.To a question, Mr. Murthy said that he would strive to secure higher allocation for the “Madikeri Dasara” if he received a request from the district administration.

Replying to a question, Mr. Murthy said the naxal menace in certain areas of Malnad would in no way

hamper tourist activities. Since increased tourism activities providing jobs to people, there was no way the naxals could get local support, he said.

Mr. Murthy lauded the home stay concept that was becoming popular in Kodagu. The Government had come up with a “home stay” policy. A committee had been constituted to inspect and award grades and certificates to the home stay facilities.

The committee would visit districts and award certificates after conducting inspections, Mr. Murthy added.

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