Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 1: Tourism in Dakshina Kannada (DK) has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in the post-pandemic years, with domestic tourist arrivals soaring from 1.3 crore in 2020 to five crore in 2024 — a nearly fourfold increase. While foreign tourist numbers remain modest, they too have grown significantly, rising from just over 2,200 in 2020 to more than 10,000 in 2024, a fivefold surge.
According to the Dakshina Kannada tourism department, tourist footfall has seen considerable fluctuations from 2020 to 2025. In the current calendar year alone, the region has already recorded 2.62 crore domestic tourists and 3,574 international visitors, signalling continued momentum.
Dilip Kumar, deputy director of tourism (in charge), said that DK continues to attract both domestic and foreign tourists primarily for its temples, beach circuits, and ecotourism offerings. “In recent times, travellers are choosing Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, and Kerala over Goa for exploring the Western Coast,” he told TOI.
Despite the surge, tourism stakeholders say the region must expand its infrastructure and attractions to sustain growth. BN Girish, vice-president of The Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru, highlighted the sector’s significant contribution to employment and GDP, but stressed the need for better-trained hospitality personnel. “Visitors come here to relax and destress,” Girish said. “Our beaches are the main draw, but they are increasingly overrun with commercial activity.”
He added that accessibility remains an issue, noting, “We need a dedicated road leading to beaches and should work towards attracting renowned hospitality brands to the region.”
Adding another dimension to DK’s tourism potential, Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, said the region is ripe for growth in medical tourism. “Dakshina Kannada has several established medical colleges and hospitals, but we have not fully tapped into that potential. It’s a great time to promote this segment,” he added.
With promising numbers and growing interest, tourism in DK appears poised for continued growth — provided key infrastructure and service gaps are addressed.