Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Sep 30: "We have failed in promoting and marketing tourism in the state,” said minister for Tourism, Kannada and Culture, C T Ravi.
He was speaking at meet the press programme here at Press Club on, September 30.
Minister C T Ravi further said, "Our state is rich in culture. We have five national parks, five world heritages, 40 waterfalls, which are identified as tourist spots, modern and western culture that will attract tourists. Despite having all these, we have failed in promoting and marketing of tourism in the proper way to attract the tourists,”
“Rs 9,500 crore has been allotted for tourism department in the central budget. There are 319 tourist destinations in the state. We are planning to bring in tourism circuit plan and tourism policy such as western tourism policy, heritage tourism policy, and coastal tourism policy,” he added.
“I am conducting a study tour, visiting all the districts in the state, to understand our department well to make a detailed plan to promote tourism by taking suggestions from the experts and make use of private organizations and CSR funds for the same,” Ravi informed.
With regard to coastal tourism, C T Ravi said, "There are 13 islands in the coastal belt which have to be developed. There are opportunities to conduct sports activities. Coastal region can be a top tourist destination if coastal region makes it as a tourism circuit. Coastal belt has temple tourism, education tourism and wellness tourism. At the same time we need to promote experience tourism,”
“Kambala sport can be found only in the coastal belt. With the help of this, we can promote tourism worldwide. We are rich in culture and this has to be promoted. Even Yakshagana art can be used to promote tourism. At the same time, people expect safety in terms hygiene and other aspects. We need to improve connectivity to these tourism spots, especially the road connectivity. Tourism can be promoted by giving information technically by uploading videos and giving information about the tourist spots,” he said.
“Tourism and culture are promoted indirectly through Alva’s Virasat. Similarly others can join hands in promoting the department. It is always a challenge to fulfill the vacant posts in tourism department which will also be taken for consideration. I have urged to conduct demand-based survey of every district so that so we can fulfill the requirements pertaining to tourism,” added C T Ravi.
Future of 17 disqualified MLAs
Replying to a query on the future of the disqualified ministers, C T Ravi said, "The future of 17 disqualified MLAs will be decided after the Supreme Court’s judgment for which we all are waiting,”
“In the year 2018, people did not give majority for us. Due to technical reasons, after 17 MLAs were disqualified, we came to power. Now the future of 17 disqualified MLAs will be decided after Supreme court’s decision.”
When asked about chief minister B S Yediyurappa's statement at Davanagere where he said, "Right now the situation it like I am walking on a wire as I need to think 10 times before taking any decision,”, C T Ravi said, "If we have certain aim to focus, then it is like walking on a wire. When we focus on certain aim, we do not want to divert on other things. So what it means is we ministers are walking on a wire.”
MLA's Vedavyas Kamath, Dr Bharath Y Shetty, President of District working journalist union Srinivas Nayak Indaje and others were present.