The Hindu

• The policy is likely to be approved shortly
• It seeks to make tourism Karnataka's principal economic activity

Bangalore, Feb 13: The Karnataka Tourism Department has set forth to make the State India's leading tourism destination. The draft Karnataka tourism policy seeks to make tourism Karnataka's principal economic activity, as an employer, tax-generator and as an engine of growth.

The draft policy envisages strategy for medium term (2007-2008 to 2011-2012) and long term up till 2016-2017. While the medium-term strategy will improve infrastructure facilities in various tourist zones in the State, the long-term plan is to make Karnataka the leading tourism destination in South Asia and leader in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and entertainment segments by establishing mega exhibition, convention centres and clusters. According to sources in the Tourism Department, the draft policy in its present form is likely to be approved shortly by the Government.

Sectors

The policy aims at promoting cruise tourism in Mangalore; eco-tourism through 'Jungle trail' in a zone stretching from Coorg to Karwar; heritage tourism around Hampi, Pattadkal, Badami, Aihole, Bidar, Bijapur and other places; health tourism in Bangalore; and culture tourism by identifying one heritage building in each district for setting up of a tourism house to showcase and develop local arts and crafts.

Home-stayswill have minimal regulation and will be treated as a non-commercial venture.

Tourism zones

The policy has also classified Karnataka into four zones. Zone one is within Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits and will be a low-priority zone. Zone two will be in Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) limits for attracting destination projects and as a national hub for global events and activities. Zone three will have Mysore, Coorg, Hampi, Pattadkal-Badami-Aihole, Bijapur and the coast from Ullal and Karwar, and will be a priority zone for development, in an integrated manner. Zone four will have all other tourist destinations of Karnataka and wayside facilities on approved location on the national and State highways.

No land conversion

Tourism projects from now on may not require cumbersome procedures for changes in land use, as the new policy entails tourism projects to take off without alienation of land from agriculture to non-agriculture purposes.

Conversion fee would also not be levied on approved tourism projects in zones falling under BMRDA, State highways and national highways, and in special tourism zones.

Concessions

The policy also gives additional incentives and concessionsapart from the concessions offered under the current industrial policy. Concessions on investments in tourism sector has been extended for luxury tax, stamp and registration charges, conversion fee, entertainment tax, entry tax and purchase tax.