Karnataka's new tourism policy forges PPP push
July 17, 2015, DHNS, Source
The Karnataka government has envisaged a mammoth plan to make the State the top tourist hotspot in India, as part of the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20 that was unveiled on Thursday.
As a first in India, the new policy intends to set a roadmap to accelerate and facilitate private investments and promote entrepreneurship in tourism. The policy (under the Adopt a Tourist Destination programme) also allows tourist destinations to be adopted by corporates (as part of their CSR activities) to develop facilities and infrastructure. Corporates will finance activities, operations, and maintain facilities. Those willing to adopt such destinations will also ensure adequate funding for a minimum period of five years.
Accordingly, the government signed six MoUs with corporates for the adoption of tourist destinations in the State on Thursday, which included BCIC for Lal Bagh, Jindal Foundation for Bangalore Museum, Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores for Ranganathittu, Tasveer Foundation for Venkatappa Art Gallery, West Coast Paper Mills for Kavala Caves, and Coffee Day Enterprises for Belur-Halebidu. The government will provide suitable concession and investment subsidies for various tourism products and services.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “Our aim is to project Karnataka as the top tourist destination in India, and the government will support all initiatives. There are innumerable opportunities to develop tourist sites and related amenities. We have decided to take steps, one of the first being this new policy.”
As per the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group (KTVG) report, the tourist traffic in Karnataka is projected to increase from the current 100 million to 210 million by 2024. An investment of Rs 54,000 crore has been estimated in the sector over the next five years, half of which may be mobilised from the private sector.
“Tourism is likely to be the largest and most attractive employer in the years to come, offering over 40 lakh jobs, and delivering revenues of around Rs 90,000 crore,” KTVG Chairman Mohandas Pai said.DH News Service.
