Karnataka tourism minister says Goa ‘saturated’ with tourists
TEAM HERALD
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BELGAUM: Claiming that Goa is “saturated” with tourists, Karnataka Tourism Minister hopes to promote tourism along the lines adopted by Goa to attract tourists to Karnataka.
A flurry of activities is being witnessed to promote tourism industry, with Tourism Minister R V Deshpande resolving to take Karnataka to greater heights in tourism, given the rich biodiversity and 320-km long coastline.
Apart from approaching the Centre for relaxations on Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ), similar to that granted to Goa and Kerala, Karnataka government is also considering introducing an Act that will help tourism and trade facilitation while special efforts are being made to establish an infrastructure corporation to boost tourism.
“Since Goa is saturated, tourists want to go out of Goa and Karnataka is the best tourism destination,” said Deshpande.
Speaking to reporters here, Deshpande stated that government plans to set up the Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited. While a review meeting with officials of various departments was held in this regard, Deshpande said the proposed Act will be binding on all government departments and will bring all tourism-related activities under one roof.
“This is because tourism in the State has been affected as different departments held conflicting views on promotion initiatives,” stated Deshpande.
“Accordingly, priority will be given on building infrastructure facilities and human resources, while seeking CRZ relaxations,” he said and added that such relaxations would give an impetus to beach tourism in Karnataka, which has a 320-km coastline.
“The government is also considering setting up a Tourism Board,” he added.
Deshpande, who is also the minister for higher education, said Karnataka government also intends to set up hotel management institutions where courses in tourism will be introduced.
