Karnataka Tourism is looking to tap Bengali travellers by offering special packages during ‘Durga Puja’ festival in October to increase its share in the domestic tourism market.
The Karnataka government is planning to tap the 13-15 per cent of Bengali tourists visiting the state more aggressively through special offers and travel guides, Karnataka Tourism Minister Anand Singh said on Tuesday. “The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation has prepared new packages customised for the Bengali traveller by offering special Durga Pujas at properties they choose to stay,” he said.
Travellers could stay at KSTDC properties on tariff starting from as low as Rs 350 per day, depending on the requirement. KSTDC is organising roadshows in West Bengal as also in other parts of the country to promote Karnataka as an attractive tourist destination.
The state also announced package tours, including half-day visits. In the last 10 years, tourists arrivals from across the country have gone up from 24 million to a staggering 84.6 million in 2011, he said, adding that till June this year, the figure has grown about 14 per cent.
Nine flights connect Kolkata and Bangalore daily, which showed the high traffic between the two states, the Minister said. Karnataka boasts of popular destinations like Hampi, Belur-Halebeedu, Bijapur, Badami, Pattadakal, and the eco-tourism chain, jungle lodges and resorts.
