The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Infrastructure at 300 tourist places to be developed

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Thursday, Mar 05, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Infrastructure at 300 tourist places to be developed

Staff Reporter

1,500 acres to be offered to entrepreneurs
Land to be offered on lease basis

BANGALORE: Nearly 1,500 acres across 300 tourist destinations in Karnataka would be offered to entrepreneurs for development of tourism infrastructure shortly.

Partnership

Land owned by the Tourism Department in places such as Bellary, Aihole, Bidar, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Hampi, Shivanasamudra, Jog, Mangalore, Karwar and other places would be used to develop infrastructure under the public-private partnership, Tourism Director K. Vishwanatha Reddy said.

He was addressing members of Karnataka Tourism Forum here on Wednesday during “KTF Speak 2009.”

He said: “We have created a land bank and prepared a booklet. Land would be offered on lease basis and joint development would also be considered.”

Besides, he said, 232 acres owned by the department at Hampi would also be offered to entrepreneurs interested in creating infrastructure.

He said that though the number of tourists visiting Karnataka had come down after the terror strikes in Mumbai, the scene was looking up now.

“We are very positive about improvement of tourism sector in the coming season,” he added.

Funds

Stating that the Government had initiated measures to help the industry cope with the recession, Mr. Reddy said that Rs. 180 crore had been earmarked for the department, which is likely to be increased.

“Roadshows would be held in Hyderabad, Goa and Maharashtra to attract tourists to Karnataka. The district-level festivals were being organised to promote inter-district movement of tourists within the State,” he added.

Conclave

To discuss issues related to taxation in tourism industry, the State Government will be organising a conclave of Tourism and Transport Ministers from South India shortly. Among others, extension of Golden Chariot to the neighbouring States would also be discussed, he added.

Managing Director of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) Vinay Luthra said that the corporation could develop a good brand image during recession and come out successful in the days to come.

Package trips

“We are renovating seven hotels in Hampi, Kodagu, Srirangapatna, Badami, Belur, Krishnaraja Sagar (near Mysore) and at Ooty, and restaurants would be outsourced to provide quality food. New package trips are being planned and buses have been procured for the same,” he added.

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