Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) has achieved financial turnaround after a gap of almost 10 years by making a profit of Rs 4.57 crore for the financial year 2016-17.

The turnaround has happened after occupancy level at all its hotels drastically improved from about 30 per cent to 43 per cent.

KSTDC also added new properties at Nandi Hills, next to Gandhi Nilay, with 12 rooms at Bharachukki falls in Kollegal Taluk, while one property at Yegachi near Chikkamagalur has been taken over recently by the corporation and handed over on a management contract to a private hotelier.

Besides the 19 hotels, KSTDC has another 24 hotels and wayside amenities, which are outsourced, on a long-term.

KSTDC has been performing well in package tours too. Demand for KSTDC's package tours has been increasing, and particularly, the religious packages. During the year, 21 package tours were started under ‘Puneetha Yathra’, which was utilised by over 20,000 people.

Turnaround in package tours was possible as the State Government supported the corporation in the purchase of 14 new buses, which included a multi-axle bus, nine deluxe AC buses and four mini-buses, to replace the older buses and augment the fleet.

There has been almost 20 per cent increase in revenue from transport section too, during 2017-18, indicating a very healthy trend.

KSTDC has been coming out with package tours as well as customised tour packages. It has also tied up with KSRTC to hire their buses whenever required. KSTDC'S package tours are now being sold online through KSRTC's online portal, Awataar.

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