Date:07/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/07/stories/2004120701391700.htm

Back Goa tour operators keen on packages with Karnataka

Our Bureau

Mangalore , Dec. 6

TOUR operators in Goa want to develop tour packages together with Karnataka as part of the coastal tourism circuit.

Tour operators there feel that Karnataka has a lot to offer in the tourism sector, according to Mr C.S. Kedar, Tourism Secretary, Karnataka Government.

Addressing presspersons after inaugurating the Karavali Tourist Information Centre at KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) bus-stand in Mangalore on Friday, he said that the Union Government has been trying to develop tourism circuits for the past three years, rather than developing small destinations.

Stating that tourism activities go beyond the political boundaries of States, he said the right package sells in tourism industry. Quoting a study, Mr Kedar said that Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty is the famous tourism circuit in Karnataka. Though situated in different States, tourist spots in the circuit were marketed because of the right packaging.

Taking cue from this, it is essential for the tour operators in Karnataka to develop packages along with Goa. Some of the tourist spots in Uttara Kannada district are hardly three hours' drive from Goa, he said, adding that 40 tour operators from Russia, who visited Goa recently, had been to Dandeli, Devbagh and Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district.

For Mangalore to become another nodal point, after Goa, in the coastal tourism circuit, the airport here has to be upgraded to international standards. Though the work on the airport expansion is in progress, it should be declared as `international airport' for handling charter flights. Airports in Goa and Kerala are handling international charter flights, he said. Additional 300-room accommodation is needed in Mangalore to cater to the needs of international tourists. If these things are done, coastal Karnataka could attract a lot of international tourist traffic.

Mr Kedar urged the representatives of travel and trade to come together to develop coastal tourism circuit.

Asked about other destinations in the State, he said that there is a plan to develop Mercara in Kodagu district as a standalone destination.

Members of the travel industry told Mr Kedar that road tax is the highest in Karnataka, and is affecting the growth of tourism industry.

For this, he said that a meeting of the tourism ministers of the southern States would discuss this issue.