Website of District Tourism Guide to be launched soon …. DC Venkat Raja
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Venkat Raja speaking after inaugurating the World Tourism Day program held at Oxyrich Hotel on the outskirts of the Madikeri in association with the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and Tourism Department and tourism promoters said that inrelated to the Kodagu district tourism development a website will be launched covering famous temples, holy places, hotel, homestay, resort, reservoir, waterfall, sightseeing places etc.
It is essential to provide information about the holy places of the district like Talacauvery, Bhagamandala and tourist places like waterfalls, places of interest, hotels, resorts etc. in this regard, DC informed that a website will be launched by December 2024.
Speaking further DC said that tourists will visit Kodagu district from outside districts and the state. If they are given the right information, they will inform to the others also and added that the information about this will be provided on on-line.
In order to maintain cleanliness and to keep environmental clean in the tourist places of Kodagu district, awareness should be created among the tourists’ spots and DC requested everyone should join hands in this regard.
Eco-tourism should be developed everywhere in the district and information should be given to tourists not to use plastic and information should be given regarding how to behave in tourist places including holy places in the district. Information has to be collected from Ooty and Tirupati that how the they are managing touristsin holy places and  tourist spots. DC also suggested to conduct camps to provide information.
DC also said that steps should be taken to build a balanced environment in the district. A good atmosphere should be created for the tourists so that tourists spread a good message to others and for this DC requested everyone to join hands in this regard, which will in turn help in the development of sustainable tourism.
DC also suggested that information on the website about the months in which tourists should visit Kodagu and requested everyone to follow the tourism policy. DC also opined that a ‘coffee table book’ should be brought out about the specialty of Kodagu district and information should be made available to the tourists about the river, reservoir, Dubare elephant camp, river rafting etc. Sustainable tourism development can be achieved through eco-friendly tourism. In this regard, tourist guide book is necessary for tourism development, he added.
District Chamber of Commerce President BR Nagendra Prasad said that more emphasis has to be given to eco-tourism in the district. Usually, one lakh people visit the district on weekends. Therefore, more emphasis should be given to environmental cleanliness. He suggested that local organizations should pay more attention in this regard.
Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of Tourism Department, said that around 47 to 50 lakh tourists visit Kodagu district every year, which has created employment for thousands of people directly or indirectly.
Tourists are more attracted to the hospitality of Kodagu district along with its art, heritage and traditions. She also said that various works and basic facilities have been built with a grant of Rs.2813.9 lakhs for various tourist spots in Kodagu district with the help of tourism department.
The Collector released a poster on sustainable tourism and tourism. ‘Zero waste tour awareness’ was launched on the same occasion.
Dr. S. Kannan, Principal of Food Craft Institute of Mysore, gave information about home stays in the district. H.R. Jayaram of Green Park Institute spoke on environment and sustainable tourism. Kuppanda Vasant, President of Tours and Travel Association, Ambekallu Naveen, Vice-President of Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Monti Ganesh, General Secretary, G. Chidvilas, B G Ananthayana, Anil H T, C G Kushalappa, Somwarpet Home Stay Association. President C K Rohit, Home Stay, Resort and Travel Association members were also present.
On the stage, former Legislative Assembly Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, former MLA M.P. Appachhu Ranjan, ASP K.S. Sundarraj, Madikeri Dasara Committee Honorary President G. Chidvilas, Working President Prakash Acharya, General Secretary Rajesh Yallappa, Treasurer Arun Shetty, Dasha Mantapa Committee President Jagadish, State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee President Dharmaja Uthappa were present. Sandhya Chidvilas, Chithra Nanjappa team prayed on the occasion. S I Munir Ahmed narrated the program.
