The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to prepare tourism gazette, archaeological directory

STEPPING up its efforts to promote Karnataka as an ideal destination, the Tourism Department has embarked upon a project to prepare an archaeological directory and a tourism gazette to compile the important monuments and places of interest that could be projected as tourist spots to visitors from both within the country and abroad.

The effort would help tour operators and marketing agencies promoting the State as a destination among foreign and Indian tourists.

The project, envisaged as part of the Government's renewed efforts to showcase the variety that the State offers to tourists, has received the Central Tourism Department's support.

The archaeological directory will consist of 1,360 declared monuments, out of the estimated 20,000 monuments in the State and will highlight their importance and brief background. Some more of the 20,000 will be selected later and added to the directory.

In a similar effort, a directory of artistes of culture and folklore of the State is also planned to be prepared by the Tourism Department. A document containing 20,000 artistes of importance in different streams of cultural performance would be prepared soon. This would help in enlisting the artistes' services to organise cultural programmes in some of the tourist destinations, in tune with their historical and cultural contexts.

A similar programme is being planned in Mysore later this month as part of a package to tourists so that their sojourn does not become monotonous with the visit to the places of interest. "Relaxation after hectic tour gives a better relief to tourists " said an official of the Tourism Department adding that such a programme would be extended to other cities with historic and cultural importance.

Humpi, which earned a mention the Union Budget two years ago, will be the first monuments to get the focus for both integrated development (which will encompass the entire gamut of improving the monument itself and providing the facilities in around for the tourists and extending easy access through air and land) as a destination.

Mysore, which has been identified for providing improved air strip to provide easier air link, has been declared as a heritage city. This will bring the city of educational institutions and regal splendour, as it was the seat of the then ruling dynasty of Wodeyar and alter the capital of erstwhile Mysore State, into new focus, apart from the famous Brindavan Gardens, the official said.