K'taka gets Rs 312 crore to develop tourism in Mysore

Palace on wheels with 19 coaches to chug out within a year

Karnataka Tourism Expo, the first-ever international meet on tourism in the state, took off on Monday with speakers, including chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, outlining a roadmap for making Karnataka a prominent tourist destination with an all-round development of tourist potential places.

"A new world of tourism is opening upfor the world to see, and discover," said the chief minister, inaugurating the two-day meet and added that the coalition government had increased the budgetary allocation for tourism from Rs 21 crore to Rs 52 crore, the biggest-ever.

The additional budget would go mainly to improve the facilities at various tourism destinations in the state, he said and added, "recognising the potential of growth in the service industry of which tourism is a key component, my government is committed to support the sector."

"Let me assure you that I would leave no stone unturned to make Karnataka into a world class tourism destination," he held out a promise to the 350-odd delegates.

As a part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Mysore has been allocated Rs 312 crore for development of heritage and tourism for the next five years.

The state government has decided to build an integrated international convention centre close to Devahanahlli international airport with 5,000-seating capacity and is planning to set up a centre for tourism studies, he said.

Tourism minister B Sreeramulu announced that sanction for the luxury train had been just received. It would be a reality in the next one year. The project is set to be implemented with immediate effect.

Later speaking to newsmen, principal secretary, department of tourism and youth services L Shanthakumari added that orders had been placed for 19 coaches with the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) for the Rs 16 crore 'Palace on Wheels', the project to be completed by August 2007. The state government had released the amount at one go.

The legal and planning issues hindering the initiative for the growth of Hampi are being sorted out in consultations with the ASI, government of India and the UNESCO. A detailed master plan would be prepared to explore the true potential of Hampi, Sreeramulu said.

Shanthakumari said Rs 5 crore is likely to be released to the Mysore University for the proposed setting up of centre of excellence to start tourism-related courses.

Addressing the expo, she set the future tasks for reviving the state tourism council, a sub-committee to execute its decisions, reduction of luxury tax from 12.5 to 5 per cent, a proposal which is already before the government, new tourism policy as the present one expires in 2007, strengthening of the tourism department and support to public-private participation.

Eight circuits had been identified covering 116 tourist destinations across the state. The circuits were 'legends of valour', 'cradle of coffee', 'marvels of the west', 'northern treasures', 'songs in stone', 'southern grandeur I & II', and 'Endless Shores'.

Development of basic facilities in 36 destinations are being taken up in 2006-07. Three and five-star hotel facilities are being set up in major tourist places like Hampi, Karwar, Gokarna, Om Beach and Madikeri by private entrepreneurs.

Domestic tourist inflow to Karnataka had increased from 2.13 crore in 2005 to 3 crore till February 2006, and the international flow from 1.82 lakh to 2.99 lakh. The target was set to take it to 4 crore and 5 lakh respectively, tourism commissioner Yogendra Tripathi added.