The Hindu Business Line : Call to promote tourism in coastal Karnataka

Experts from tourism sector have stressed the need for marketing coastal Karnataka as an ideal tourist destination with participation from each stakeholder.

Speaking at a workshop on `Tourism development in coastal Karnataka', organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here, Dr L.C. Soans, Proprietor of Soans Farm from Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada district, said that it is essential for the people of the region to realise that they have a stake in the tourism sector.

Kerala succeeded in tourism sector because people there know that they can profit from the sector. Tourism sector will help spread revenue among all stakeholders. In such a situation, it is essential for the stakeholders to market coastal Karnataka as an ideal tourist destination, he said.

Ms Eulalia D'Souza, Proprietress of Lia Travels and Tours, said that while Goa has reached a saturation point in tourism sector, Kerala is oversold. Coastal Karnataka is the ideal destination for marketing of tourism sector. "We have not yet fully exploited the tourism potential of the area," she said. All the concerned should be properly educated to market the tourism sector of the region, she said.

Dr John T. Ramapuram, Director of Ramapuram Resorts, Bangalore, said the marketing of tourism sector is poor here. Public-private partnership is essential to maximise the tourism potential of the region, he said.

DOMESTIC TOURISM

Mr Jesper Hougaard of Serena Spa Pvt Ltd said that the country has a large chunk of domestic tourists. This sector needs to be exploited, as there is a steady increase in the number of disposable income groups.

The living standard of this group has improved with the increase in the salary levels. The country's diverse culture and different cuisines should be highlighted properly, he said. The tourism policy does not mention much about the needs of a tourism investor.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Speakers also expressed the need for good roads and budget hotels to attract more tourists to the region. Mr Hougaard said that quality budget hotels are lacking in the region. Either there are low-cost hotels catering to the needs of a section of society or here are high-end star hotels catering to the needs of other section of society.

The gap in between needs to be filled. Stressing the need for improvement in road infrastructure, Dr C.R. Kamath, Director of Corporation Bank, said that the condition of approach roads leading to the places of tourist destination should be improved.