BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Creating facilities for tourists… will be the top priority.”

IN an interview with Frontline, Subir Hari Singh, the new Principal Secretary of Tourism, outlines the initiatives to be taken to develop the tourism sector in Karnataka.

Creating facilities for tourists and strengthening infrastructure will be the top priority. Tourist-friendly amenities will be developed in all major tourist destinations.

The department recently organised “Momentum”, an investors’ meet, and the outcome is successful. One hundred and thirty-two private landowners have shown interest in either selling or leasing their land for tourism projects.

The department will bring these landowners and potential investors on a common platform next month for the development of tourism infrastructure.

We are planning to introduce a conference coach and market it to corporate houses. Six GSAs [general sales agents] have been appointed worldwide to market the train to foreign tourists.

We are concentrating on the development of tourist destinations in northern Karnataka. The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation [KSTDC] will deploy 14 coaches for conducted tours in the region. These tours will start from Hospet and Hubli.

KSTDC is working towards strengthening facilities in major tourist destinations. KSTDC hotels are being upgraded at Belur, Badami, Hospet, Madikeri and Srirangapatna. Soon, it will start operating taxi services from the new international airport, which will allow passengers to choose between taxi operators. The corporation has also taken over the management of Brindavan Gardens in terms of entry fee, parking, boating area and kiosks.