Minister for Energy and Tourism K.J. George on Sunday said investors who showed interest in the State’s tourism sector during his recent visit to Dubai would be given a “red-carpet” welcome.

Speaking after inaugurating the World Tourism Day celebrations organised by the district administration and Department of Tourism at the Mysuru Palace premises, Mr. George said several Indians he met during his Dubai visit had expressed keen interest in investing in Karnataka’s tourism sector.

“The government will give them a red-carpet welcome and provide the necessary facilities,” he said.

Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait, who also spoke at the programme, urged the government to create a tourism circuit covering the five districts. Such a circuit would provide tourists with better guidance and enable them to conveniently visit temples, wildlife sanctuaries, the zoo, and major attractions such as the Brindavan Gardens at the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam.

Mr. Sait also urged the State government to introduce a system of illuminating the Mysuru Palace for at least 30 minutes at a fixed time every day throughout the year, rather than restricting the illumination to the Dasara season. This, he said, would encourage tourists to stay overnight in Mysuru.

He also called for greater promotion of Mysuru’s traditional tonga rides and a networking system to facilitate city tours for tourists.

New Tourism Policy

Mr. George said the State Government was committed to developing the tourism sector and ensuring the profitable functioning of institutions operating in the field. The government had accorded industry status to tourism infrastructure and introduced a new tourism policy to facilitate long-term investments and provide greater incentives to investors.

He said tourist destinations including the coastal region, Malnad, Hampi, Badami, Vijayapura, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and UNESCO-recognised heritage sites were being developed on priority.

The Minister also said the district administration had been instructed to provide separate seating arrangements and other facilities for foreign tourists visiting Mysuru during Dasara.

HD Kote MLA and Karnataka Jungle Lodges and Resorts chairman Anil Chikkamadu, Karnataka Exhibition Authority chairman Ayub Khan, Tourism Department Secretary Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikant Reddy, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savita, and representatives of tourism, travel, hotel, and business organisations were present.