Karnataka to come out with new tourism policy soon, says Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announces new tourism policy to boost tourism in Karnataka, focusing on natural beauty and potential districts.

State government will soon come out with a new tourism policy to attract more tourists to the State, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Speaking after inaugurating the two-day Gaganachukki Jalapathothsava 2024 in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district on Saturday evening, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had already discussed the potential for developing tourism in the State with Minister for Tourism H.K. Patil.

He said he had instructed Mr. Patil to come out with a new tourism policy to which he had also agreed.

Pointing out that several countries across the world were earning a lot of money through tourism, Mr. Siddaramaiah said Karnataka too had a huge potential for promoting tourism in view of the large number of destinations bestowed with natural beauty. He identified Mandya, Mysuru, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Belagavi, and Chickmagalur among the districts in the State, where tourism could be promoted.

He said the State government was ready to bear all the expenditure needed for developing tourism in the State.

Even though Karnataka is not dependent on the revenue generated from tourism, there is a need for the State to exploit its tourism potential. Neighbouring Kerala has made efforts in the direction and Karnataka too should take steps in the regard, he said.

The Gaganachukki Jalapathothsava 2024 in Malavalli followed the Bharachukki Jalapathosava 2024 in Kollegal taluk of neighbouring Chamarajanagar district.