Program on ‘Connect Karnataka-2024’ held by Department of Tourism
Dr. K V Rajendra, Director of Tourism Department said that the new policy regarding home stay management in the state will be published by next January-February. He was speaking in ‘Connect Karnataka-2024’ which was recently held at a private resort on the outskirts of Madikeri town to bring together all the tourism partners of the state by contacting the major district centers of the state in order to support the activities of the tourism department, tourism policy, infrastructure development, promotional activities to complement the growth of the tourism sector, which was organised by the Karnataka Tourism Society and Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation.
Speaking further Dr. K V Rajendra said that the need for a policy regarding home stays has been heard for many decades, and there has been a discussion at the government level, and the government will announce a new policy for home stays at the beginning of the next calendar year.
The director of tourism department explained that since the home stays are located at the place where the owners are staying, the guidelines for their management, registration process, obtaining NOC etc. will be published in the new home stay policy, he informed.
Home stays should be registered and good basic facilities should be provided to the tourists and such home stays will be given maximum support and encouragement and added that more emphasis should be given to infrastructure.
Dr. KV Rajendra further said that for the development of tourism in the state, the ‘Vocational Skill Training’ program has been launched and emphasis has been placed for providing employment to the youth and added that tourism is very helpful in providing employment to the youth locally and for that purpose skill training programs will be organized in every district.
In tourism development, home stay, hotels, travel are related to each other and should shed light on development of tourism.The expectations of tourists should also be considered and tourists should provide information in this regard so that in the new policies can be incorporated.
Our state is in the tenth position in the field of tourism. The states of Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka have got their own place. Rajendra explained that Kodagu ranks third in the tourism sector in the state, Mysore, Hampi in Vijayanagara, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Vijayapur, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Chamarajanagar, etc., attract more tourists.
Natural resources should be conserved and necessary infrastructure should be provided to attract tourists. Necessary cooperation will be provided by tourism department regarding tourism development. On this occasion, he said that a suitable platform will be created. He also mentioned about the increasing trend for solo travelling and stressed the need to ensure the safety of such travelers also.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Venkat Raja said that everyone should think how tourism sector can be further developed in Kodagu district. In this regard, he said that, ‘Coffee Table Book’ will be released in the month of January to develop tourism.
Kodagu district is famous for its tourism sector. Rajaseat, Mandal Patti are the most attractive tourist spots here. Various mini waterfalls, estate visits, elephant camp, Madikeri fort are also attracting tourists, he said.
Speaking further he also said that said that it is essential to emphasize on ‘destination tourism’ such as drinking water, toilets, parking arrangements etc. in tourist places.
Information about tourist places in the district, state and abroad should be made available through the website. A good environment should be created for the tourists. The DC emphasized that it is essential to ensure that tourists are not disturbed.
In the next two years in Kodagu district, a plan should be made immediately for the development of tourism and added that emphasis should be given on eco-tourism.
A representative of the Karnataka Tourism Organization said that the Karnataka Tourism Organization has launched many incentive programs for the development of tourism and they have to register their names.
Speaking during the conversation, Monti Ganesh said that the concept of home stays started in Kodagu district in 2003. More than 2200 home stays are registered in the district and suggested that a policy should be implemented for home stays.
Unauthorized home stays should be more encouraged to come forward for name registration. Nehru mantapa and farm in Kodagu district headquarter Madikeri need to be further developed. Also, the viewpoints should be made more attractive. Throwing garbage on the roadside should be prevented. A cement road is to be constructed in Mandal Patti. Mallalli and Irpu falls should be further developed, he said.
The fort in Madikeri is a historical place and the work is going on for three years. More tourists will visit when the work is completed. So, Monti Ganesh suggested that attention should be paid to this.
District Chamber of Commerce President Nagendra Prasad said that one lakh people visit Kodagu district every weekend. Therefore, he requested that arrangements should be made for parking under the multipurpose scheme.
Anil H.T. Honorary Advisor of Tourism Association speaking on the occasion said that regarding the development of tourism in Kodagu, various promotional programs should be carried out at the state, national and international levels in order to get widespread information. In this regard, he suggested that information should be made available in different languages through the Internet.
Shyamaraj, President of Karnataka Tourism Organization, G. K. Shetty, President of Karnataka Hotel Association, Ayyappa Somayya, Member of Karnataka Tourism Organization, P. C. Rao, President of Bangalore Hotel Association, Dinesh Kariappa, President of District Hotel Association, G. Chidvilas, Advisor of District Hotel Association. , District Folk Parishad President B.G. Anantashayana, District Hotel Association Secretary Nazir, District Tour and Travel Association President Vasant, Chhaya Nanjappa, Karnataka Planter Association Member Mohan Das, Tourism Department Tourism Consultant Jatin Bopanna and others were present.
Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of Tourism Department welcomed the gathering, G. Chidvilas, Advisor of District Hotel Association narrated programme, Kumari Swapna and Chondamma sang the Nad Gita, Dinesh Kariappa, District President of Hotel Association proposed the vote of thanks.
