Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 19: Pankaj Kumar Pandey, secretary of the department of tourism, Government of Karnataka, on Friday, March 19 said that the tourism department's new policy for the year 2020-25 is expected to attract 5,000 investors, and generate over 10 lac jobs.
He was speaking at the Connect-2021, an interactive session organised by the Karnataka Tourism Society.
"The key strategic pillars for Karanataka Tourism Policy are tourism marketing and promotion, development of tourism infrastructure, tourism products, skill development and training, focus on tourist comfort and safety, community participation, focus on sustainable tourism, tourism analytics and digital initiatives and investment facilitation," he said.
"In the upcoming days, the department is planning to hold investors meet for developing tourism in the state," he added.
"In the state, as the areas on the coast fall under 320 km there is an ample opportunity for tourism in the coastal region," he said.
"As cruise ships from Maharashtra and Goa come to NMPT, the department is planning to launch seaplanes and aerodromes to promote 'Heli Tourism', and we are working on it," Pandey said.
Speaking on the occasion, G Jagadeesha, deputy commissioner of Udupi said, "There is major scope for tourism in the coastal Karnataka. But, somewhere we have failed to tap the opportunity. Hence, taking the stakeholders into consideration, the district administration chalked out a plan with a vision of 10 years."
He also said that with help of post-graduation students of tourism, the administration is conducting a survey of 104 tourism spots in the district, to find out the requirements. "A plan has been already drafted for the development of tourism spots and will be presented before state home minister, Basavaraj Bommai who is in-charge of district administration. Once the plan is approved it will be released," he added.
He said that as the Padubidri beach received the Blue Flag recognition, nearly 50 people got directly employed given the rise in tourism. There is a plan to launch the floating restaurants and cable car connecting Kollur and Kodachadri.
Dr Rajendra KV, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada said that the district has wide scope for tourism as the district has 50 km of coast, backwater spots, luscious nature, Pilikula Biological Park, various religious centres, and a planetarium.
"There is a lot of scope for the boathouse. Discussions are underway with the fisheries college on providing old unused traditional boats for renovating them and converting them as selling points in the city. The district administration has also chalked out a plan for 'Heli Tourism'. There is also a plan to introduce the water metros," he said.
He also said that the district administration has begun clearing the illegally constructed buildings that were erected by violating the CRZ norms. In this regard, the administration is also thinking of projects to tap the potentiality of tourism and generate government revenue.
"There is a huge scope to convert the Pilikula Biological Park into a national park after bringing animals like giraffe, zebra, and Rynosures. The administration is working on a coffee table book and video about the tourism spots in the district by displaying at airports and other places to promote tourism."
During the occasion, the tourism logo for Dakshina Kannada was released.
Director of tourism, Kumar Pushkar, V Karikalan, deputy conservator of forests, Manu, secretary KTS and others were present.