Date:28/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/28/stories/2006122803160200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Showcasing vibrant Bangalore

Special Correspondent

Tourism officials to showcase places that interest youth

Bangalore: If Bangalore has more pubs per sq. km. than any other city of comparable size, why not turn it to its advantage? .

Tourism officials now think the city's varied types of pubs from the very down-to-earth kind to those with English and Irish ambience may appeal more to tourists who cannot spend days looking at Vidhana Soudha or strolling through Cubbon Park or Lalbagh.

"Bangalore, the fun-loving, cosmopolitan city" will be the promotional theme to attract younger tourists from other regions.

While local residents do grumble about the "11.30 p.m. curfew", the fact is that Bangalore still has great nightlife. There are karaoke bars, DJs as energetic as couples on dance floors and theme pubs which celebrate the Golden Age of jazz or hard rock.

The new tourism policy for the State will take into account these star attractions for the young, who these days also have the spending power.