Business Line

Mangalore, Feb 18: It is said that tourism is the one industry where the consumer goes to the doorsteps of the product, unlike in other industries, where the products are delivered at the consumers’ doorsteps.

Transport infrastructure, the main backbone connecting these two segments, plays a vital role in the growth of tourism. Tourism potential of coastal Karnataka in general and Mangalore, in particular, can be better utilised, if the authorities concerned take steps to leverage the strengths of transport infrastructure of the region.

Consider this. Mangalore is the only one place in Karnataka where several kinds of transport networks are available. Even the Karnataka Tourism Department agrees that all these transport facilities are of great importance for the development of tourism in the region.

Dr C. Somashekhara, Director, Department of Tourism, who was in Mangalore recently, said that airport, sea-port, railway network and road network would help promote tourist activities in the area.

Air connectivity

Established five decades ago, Mangalore airport is now one of the major non-metro airports in the country that is recording rapid growth. The increase in the number of regular flights to various domestic and overseas locations in the last year indicates that the airport is crucial to improved connectivity in the region.

The airport witnessed a growth of 53.51 per cent in passenger movements in the last one year. It handled 6.75 lakh passengers during calendar 2007, against 4.39 lakh in the corresponding period the previous year. The number is likely to go up with the opening of integrated new terminal building next year.

Most of the passengers belong to the business-class and non-resident Indians sections. The airport offers a good opportunity to attract chartered tourist flights, as the neighbouring Goa attracts a huge number of them.

According to a conservative estimate, Goa attracts around 650-700 chartered flights a year. Experts in thr aviation sector say here that even if the 10 per cent of those flights are attracted to Mangalore, tourism in the region will rise.

Rail network

The advantage of Mangalore with regard to railway network is that it is connected with two railway zones and a railway corporation. While the Konkan Railway Corporation connects Mangalore with northern India, Southern Railway Zone connects it with southern India. Recently Mangalore was connected with Bangalore through South Western Railway zone.

To unearth the potential of eco-tourism between Mangalore and Bangalore on Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya stretch, the Karnataka Tourism Department has now requested the South Western Railways to run a day train between Mangalore and Bangalore, in addition to the night train already running on the route.

Dr Somashekhara said that the General Manager of South Western Railway has assured the department to look into this matter. He hoped that operation of day train service between Mangalore and Bangalore will boost the tourism sector in the region.

The Karnataka Tourism recently started a luxury tourist train Golden Chariot for the high-end consumers. Similar type of a luxury train can also be thought of to connect the coastal region with Karnataka. However, Mr Somashekhara said any decision on such type of trains can be taken based on the response to Golden Chariot.

Sea of opportunity

Considering the good potential for cruise traffic in the region, New Mangalore Port Trust is placing importance on operating cruise ships, and the construction of the cruise lounge is in final stages.

The opening of the cruise lounge is also likely to pave the way for increased coastal movement of passenger ships. Sources in the port said that one of the luxury cruise operators operating between Goa and Mumbai is likely to begin services to Mangalore also. The regular movement of cruise ships is likely to open opportunities for tour operators and tourist guides.

Dr Somashekhara said that highway tourism is another area, which has good scope for improvement along the coast. The coastal highway connectivity between Ullal in Dakshina Kannada district and Karwar in Uttara Kannada district ensures inter-state travel for business, leisure travellers and family travellers

However, he said, excellent wayside amenities are one crucial element that is missing on these roads. Theme restaurants around the legendary coastal cuisines will be a huge draw and may be instrumental in attracting a larger number of tourists to the region.

Road to development

Mr K. Narasimha Prabhu, President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that adequate attention should be paid for the improvement of highway along the coast.

In this regard, work on highway development is in various stages along the Karnataka coast. While work on the conversion of a stretch of highway into four-lane highway is already in progress, feasibility study for the conversion of two stretches of highway on the coast in under finalisation. The Centre has also invited bids for the feasibility study for the conversion of remaining stretch of the highway in coastal Karnataka.

In one of the meetings recently, the Chairman and Managing Director of Corporation Bank, Mr B. Sambamurthy, had suggested that the developmental model unique to the region concerned is essential for the growth of tourism sector of any region.

It is to be seen how the stakeholders leverage the strengths of transport infrastructure for the growth of tourism in the region.