'If Angkor Wat can, why can't Hampi?'

Karnataka, which considers itself an infant in comparison to Goa and Kerala when it comes to tourism development, is set to change its quiet, laid back approach to exploit available opportunities. It has decided to showcase its vast potential including its numerous virgin beaches, temple towns and heritage sites besides improving facilities for the tourist, domestic and foreign.

Mr R V Deshpande, state tourism minister spoke to Tyagaraj Sharma about the government’s plans starting with the hosting of the prestigious PATA TRAVEL MART this September in the IT capital. The all important travel conference is a big step forward for the state as it is for the first time that a PATA travel mart will be held in Karnataka – Indian state in southwest India with Arabian Sea coastlines. It will be attended by over 1,000 delegates from across the world.

 

Q: Karnataka is hosting the three-day PATA Travel Mart in Bengaluru from  6 September. This is the first time that an event of this magnitude and importance is being held here. What does it mean for the state and its  tourism sector?

A: The Pacific Asia Travel Association mart is indeed a prestigious event for us  especially as it is being held for the first time in the state. Imagine we will be host to over 1,000 delegates in the tourism and travel trade business from nearly 60 countries.

The opportunity to showcase the rich tourist potential of the state, inevitably, will be used fruitfully as we will showcase our virgin beaches and heritage sites, while tapping potential investors to develop the sector in a mutually beneficial exercise. In addition the hi-tech facilities of the IT capital would  be displayed.

Besides, the PATA meet will bring together qualified international buyers and sellers for face-to-face meetings, educational fora and networking functions. Notably, PATA is returning to India after a gap of four years with the last conference having been held in 2011 at New Delhi. Importantly, the meet is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

Q: Despite the huge potential for tourism very little seems to have been done to promote the sector, to build the required infrastructure and facilities for the tourist, domestic and foreign alike. The PATA meet is a one-off event. What is the government planning on boosting and improving tourism in the state?

A: Let’s be clear about one thing. The state attracted over five lakh tourists last year with the potential to grow becoming more pronounced. In terms of connectivity, the IT capital offers  plenty of scope thanks to its international airport, in the process making Bengaluru the ideal gateway to the southern region.

Having said that, I agree that Goa and Kerala may be doing better. But do not forget that  their beach tourism had already developed before the Coastal Regulation zone provisions came into force.

We have over 320 km of coastline and accompanying beaches. Accordingly, we have requested for relaxation of the CRZ provisions for 42 beaches and four islands each of which has tremendous potential for tourism.  Besides, while the state is rich in terms of tourists' spots with allied potential for growth, matching investment has become the need of the hour.

 

Q: So, what is the government planning to do now? The tourism vision document talked big, envisaging huge investments. Do you have a roadmap for developing tourism   especially as it leads to huge employment generation? I ask this because while the Mysuru Dusshera remains big as a tourist attraction, overall the potential of the sector remains untapped.

A: We are well aware of what tourism can do in terms of adding to the state’s GDP. Why, if Angkor Wat in Cambodia, smaller than Hampi, can have over 16,000 rooms and thousands of guides, we can also promote our destinations in a big way. Yes, there is always the feeling that we could have done better. Which is why we are working on a new tourism policy which should be out very soon. While the scope for raising  taxes remains saturated, we know that with improved infrastructure, proper facilities and environment, tourism can be a big generator of revenue.  And, of course, employment. Today the tourist, during his stay of three to five days , is willing to spend provided he gets the desired environment, facilities and infrastructure. It is not merely the rich who are travelling. Everybody wants to travel these days which is a good thing for the tourism sector. So the question of amenities and facilities does assume importance. We have now been concentrating on tackling these issues particularly where it concerns security, cleanliness and availability of good guides.

As a first step,  we are  introducing  “Tourist Mitras.” These are guides who will be like the police in the form of a friend. In the first phase 500 youngsters will be trained, provided soft skills. They will also be proficient in foreign languages like French, Chinese and the like. More important, they will be vested with the powers of the police, in a limited way. Further, we are getting police officials on deputation who will be attached to different destination sites.

The immediate proposal is to deploy them from 1 November in tourist destinations like Hampi, Bijapur, Karwar, Mysuru and Mangalore, for example. We have 390 tourist destinations but this is the first phase.

What about the most important point - you know we don’t keep our tourist spots clean or provides basic amenities?

We are attending to that. We have roped in the private sector to adopt specified tourist destinations or heritage sites. About 15 corporates including Biocon, Coffee Day, Sandur Mines and the Jindals, for example, have shown interest in taking these sites under their umbrella as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. 

Mind you, while there will be no lease or ownership, the corporates will be taking care of the tourist sites for five years to start with, providing basic amenities like toilets, drinking water while ensuring cleanliness. They will have to draw up plans for preservation of the heritage sites, pump in the money and supervise with the help of the tourism department and the Archeological Survey of India. The government will be signing memoranda of understanding with the corporate sector soon.

 

Q: Earlier you had referred to a new policy on tourism. What has happened to it?

A: The new policy is ready - it has been cleared by the cabinet. We are identifying 17 broad products including yoga, medical tourism, agri, rural tourism and the like. In addition we have got the governor's assent for the Karnataka Tourism and Trade Facilitation Act. It will regulate/ The guides will be licenced, hotels and all related facilities will be rated for the convenience of the tourists. This is a pioneering effort for us.

 

Q: Is this not being done already? How does one trust the ratings?

A: Now the ratings are limited to five and four stars properties, an exercise done by the central agencies.  Here even the home stays, smaller hotels, guides will be rated by well known, reputable rating agencies. Everything will be uploaded for the benefit of the travellers. Ratings will be done by well-known agencies. The act has been passed.

 

Q: The state is known for its rich flora and fauna and of course, its trekking trails. Does the government have plans to promote adventure tourism?

A: Of course. We are promoting what we call Eco trends which will cover trekking and adventure tourism. This will be done with help from the forest department. We are planning 20 such eco trends and trails.

This apart, we have plans for  Bengaluru too.  For Bengaloreans, MG Road is a well-known landmark. We are planning to convert MG road into an open street on weekends. There will be no traffic or vehicular movement on these days .The street will be thrown open for people to display their arts and craft. It will be like a mela.  The street will be free on the day concerned for cycling, dancing and the like.

We are also trying to encourage golf and marathons as part of aggressive promotion of tourism.?