The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka draws plans to improve tourism

KARNATAKA has drawn up plans to improve the Hampi heritage tourism centre and the coastal areas in the State to improve the infrastructure to attract more foreign tourists.

The Government has approached both the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Central Government to raise Rs 1,200 crore for the proposed projects to be implemented over five years.

Addressing a function to announce a new brand image for Karnataka tourism, Mr Jayakumar said JBIC team had already held two rounds of discussions about the project and final evaluation would be made soon. The State had also sought a Rs 615 crore assistance from the Centre for improving and strengthening coastal tourism by providing adequate infrastructure in the 315-km long coastal areas of the State.

Stating that steps taken in the past have already yielded some results in the State improving its earnings from tourism, Mr Jayakumar said Karnataka had the potential to earn an annual revenue of Rs 1,000 crore.

Mr Jayakumar said Karnataka has rich potential to become a preferred destination and better attractions than some of the frontline tourism states such as Rajasthan, Kerala and Haryana. Its diverse nature offered a variety to tourists in its wildlife to beaches and heritage and leisure destinations. In keeping with this multi-faceted attractions, the Tourism Department has decided to adopt a new brand image "One State: Many Worlds" he said adding that though its earlier brand image of `Karnataka A Theatre of Inspiration' had its impact, the new campaign was expected to give a comprehensive reflection of its diverse potential.

Mr Mahendra Jain, Commissioner of Tourism said the State would mount campaign to promote the new brand image to unleash its diverse offerings of Karnataka as the old one had given a restricted reflection of the State being a heritage destination.

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