 "After SpiceJet's exit, AI to airlink Mysuru")
In order to attract more tourists to Mysuru, the Tourism Department of Karnataka government has entered into an agreement with Air India (AI), and air services will be available soon, Minister for Tourism and Higher Education R V Deshpande said here.
Presiding over the maiden meeting of the Cauvery Tourism Development Authority, he said the Tourism Department would introduce flight services again shortly. There were many tourist spots in Mysuru district to draw more visitors, Mysuru would be airlinked again.
He said a museum to highlight the history, benefit and other aspects of the Cauvery river, a 'Cauvery Museum' would be set up soon by the government.
Underlining the need for trained tourist guides, the minister most of the guides were not fluent in English. Hence, the Department would train them in foreign languages like French, Chinese, English, and Kannada. 'Pravasi Mitra' policemen would be appointed after training them by the Police Department to protect tourists.
Deshpande also underlined the need for creating infrastructural facilities like good roads, accommodation, drinking water, food, electricity and toilets. He asked the districts under the jurisdiction of the authority to make use of the funds released for tourism development to create those facilities for the tourists. Lack of these facilities was acting as a deterrent to attract tourists, he lamented.
Four districts, Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu come under the jurisdiction of the authority, besides parts of Ramanagaram. The minister asked the district in-charge ministers and deputy commissioners of the districts to identify important projects for development this year. If these people fail to take interest, all the efforts of the Tourist Department would be a waste. Therefore they should work together to develop tourism in their districts, he said.
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He reiterated the government's decision to build a ropeway to Chamundi Hills in Mysuru. He said, he was not aware of the opposition for the controversial project by environmentalists and NGO groups. Another project for Mysuru was automated illumination system for the Mysore Palace, which drew the highest number of visitors.
The Minister rejected the demand for the removal of exorbitant entry tax on vehicles coming to Mysuru, which the travel trade is strongly opposing saying that it was coming in the way of attracting tourists to Mysuru. He said the tax would stay as the revenue from it was going for welfare schemes of the state.