Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Two more airlines to operate from Bangalore to West Asia

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE May 16. Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines are likely to run services out of Bangalore to West Asia, if the Civil Aviation Ministry approves a State Government proposal on this. The Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna, and the Minister for Tourism, Roshan Baig, will meet the Ministry officials soon.

In a meeting with a delegation from the State to Dubai, Emirates Airlines President, Sheikh Ahmed, and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baker, consented to run services out of Bangalore once the Indian Government approved the proposal. Mr. Roshan Baig and the Tourism Commissioner, I.M.Vittalamurthy, led the delegation.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Mr. Baig said the response from the two airlines threw open an opportunity for Bangalore to tap the Arabian market and the lucrative holiday markets of Europe and the U.S. ``We realise the importance of striking strategic alliances with leading airlines in this connection. We have been successful in the initial discussions. We expect the Union Government to support us in our endeavour. This will enable us to cash in on the enormous potential of tourism in the State.''

The delegation was in Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market, where the State's pavilion turned out to be a big draw. The stall received a string of prominent trade visitors from leading tour companies, including Dnata, Axis Holidays, Kanoo Holidays and Emirates Holidays.

``It was the State's first ever participation in the event. The response was tremendous. There were a number of enquiries,'' Mr. Baig said.

Executives of many resorts and travel operators from the State, including Trails, Skyway International Travels, Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre, Golden Palms Resort and Spa, Jungle Lodges and Resorts and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation were part of the delegation.

As part of tourism promotion, the State would take part as a "theme State" in the Dubai Shopping Festival next year.

Mr. Baig said tourists from West Asia were looking for tourist destinations (excluding the U.S. and Europe) elsewhere after the September 11 incident. ``The State could be their new destination. West Asian tourists do not know of the State beyond Bangalore. We tried to sell Bangalore's pleasant climate, the wildlife and safari park project, and make them look outside the hot Delhi-Agra-Jaipur triangle,'' he said.

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