Karnataka to roll out red carpet for Dubai investors in tourism, says K.J. George
Karnataka Tourism Minister K.J. George said Dubai-based investors keen on the State's tourism sector will receive full government support, as Mysuru leaders sought a regional tourism circuit.
Karnataka will extend a warm welcome and all necessary support to investors who expressed interest in the State's tourism sector during a recent visit to Dubai, Minister for Energy and Tourism K.J. George said on Sunday.
Speaking after inaugurating World Tourism Day celebrations at the Mysuru Palace premises, Mr. George said several Indians he met in Dubai had shown keen interest in putting money into Karnataka's tourism sector. "The government will give them a red-carpet welcome and provide the necessary facilities," he said.
The event was organised by the district administration and the Department of Tourism.
New policy and priority destinations
Mr. George said the State government was committed to developing tourism and ensuring that institutions in the sector function profitably. Tourism infrastructure has been granted industry status, and a new tourism policy has been introduced to encourage long-term investment and offer stronger incentives to investors.
He said destinations including the coastal region, Malnad, Hampi, Badami, Vijayapura, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and UNESCO-recognised heritage sites were being developed on priority. The district administration has also been instructed to arrange separate seating and other facilities for foreign tourists visiting Mysuru during Dasara.
Calls for a tourism circuit
Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait urged the government to create a tourism circuit covering five districts. Such a circuit, he said, would give visitors better guidance and make it easier to travel to temples, wildlife sanctuaries, the zoo and major attractions such as the Brindavan Gardens at the Krishnaraja Sagar dam.
Mr. Sait also sought year-round illumination of the Mysuru Palace for at least 30 minutes at a fixed time each day, instead of limiting it to the Dasara season, arguing this would encourage tourists to stay overnight in the city. He called for stronger promotion of Mysuru's traditional tonga rides and a networking system to facilitate city tours.
HD Kote MLA and Karnataka Jungle Lodges and Resorts chairman Anil Chikkamadu, Karnataka Exhibition Authority chairman Ayub Khan, Tourism Department Secretary Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikant Reddy, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savita, and representatives of tourism, travel, hotel and business organisations were present.