Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 20: Heli tourism has made waves in Karnataka, and now the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) and the state tourism department have plans for introducing it in Mangaluru. If the plans materialise, foreign tourists arriving on cruise liners at NMPT will be the first passengers to experience the city via heli tourism.

The NMPA had taken steps toward introducing heli tourism in Mangaluru many years ago; however, several issues, including maintenance, delayed the project. This time, the proposal has been sent to the state tourism department, which has given it the green signal in light of financial development as well as tourism growth. Around 8,000 foreign tourists visit the city via cruise liners to NMPT from December to May.

The aim is to transport foreign tourists by helicopter to tourist spots in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi from the helipad located at NMPA. The cruise liners arrive at NMPT mostly at 8 am and leave the port around 6 or 7 pm. During this eight-hour window, tourists typically visit temples, churches, and mosques. However, through heli tourism, they will have the opportunity to explore attractions in neighboring districts as well. According to tourism department officials, heli tourism will foster all-round development.

In the meantime, the tourism department is outlining fare charges for heli tourism. The first phase includes a list of tourist spots in Dakshina Kannada district, with plans to cover other districts later.

Salma K Pahim, secretary of the Karnataka Tourism Department, said, “NMPA has shown an inclination to begin heli tourism in coastal Karnataka. Many works in this direction are completed. Heli tourism will begin soon. In addition, we have received demand for heli tourism from various parts of the state.”