Karnataka bets big on tourism

MUMBAI: "There is more to Karnataka than Bangalore", is the message Karnataka tourism authorities are sending out. The state is being re-packaged with the tag-line 'India's Theatre of Inspiration.'

On the roadshow in Mumbai to sell Karnataka today was the state's minister for tourism and information technology DB Inamdar with a high ranking team including the state tourism secretary and a group of 35 tourism trade partners.

The state is trying to market itself by showcasing its forests, beaches, heritage sites, religious places and romantic spots dovetailed with the pub culture of Bangalore.

Tourism is now a thrust area and it has launched a worldwide campaign in March, positioning itself to receive a share of the world tourist market.

Negotiations are currently on with the Taj and the Leela group for setting up hotels at tourism hot-spots in the state. "Several sites have been identified by the government for hotels and the government has offered land to these groups," the state tourism commissioner IM Vittalamurthy said.
Frome : http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com