Tap tourism potential, say Kanara chamber

Eulalia D'Souza, chairperson, tourism sub-committee of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry and A Srinivas Rao, vice-president of the chamber, have urged the government to set up an office of the assistant director of tourism for Dakshina Kannada district and appoint a competent officer immediately.

"The information and bio-technology in the last century gave the Indian economy a boost which will be challenged by the Far East and European countries this century. But they will not be able to challenge the potential of our tourism market if we gear up to meet requirements of the common tourists since they do not have the rich culture and heritage enjoyed by our country and also of our state. We believe the past was IT, present is BT and the future should be TT (travel and tourism)," they stated in a press release.

Stressing the need to promote tourism in the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, they urged the Centre to take up work on the international airport and a full-fledged passport office in Mangalore, early completion of broad guage railway line between Mangalore and Bangalore, conversion of the two-lane highway between Mangalore and Kundapur into a four-lane highway and create an exclusive berth for cruise liners with a decent arrival lounge and immigration facility.

They urged the state government to convert the present two-lane airport connecting road into a four-lane, upgrade the present roads to various tourist spots in both the districts, provide basic facilities like good rest rooms and toilet facilities at the various temples/shrines and other tourist spots in both districts, encourage youngsters to become tourist guides, prepare promotional material like CDs, brochures, write ups and other information materials.

Beaches at Bengre, Thannirbavi and Panambur in Mangalore, Murdeshwar, Marvanthe and St Mary's island in Udupi are to be developed to attract tourists.

The CRZ regulations need to be recast to develop tourism projects that blend with nature without harming the ecology. Backwaters at Kulur, Pavanje (Mulky), Padubidri and Marvanthe should also be developed.