Date:30/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/30/stories/2007123053410500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Showcasing State tourism abroad

Staff Reporter

AKKA to distribute tourism calendars with a list of American holidays

– Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

First copy: Chairman of the Legislative Council B.K. Chandrashekar releasing the ‘New Year Calendar’ of the Tourism Department at the Vikasa Soudha in Bangalore on Saturday with Tourism Director C. Somashekar (right) and Tourism Secretary I.M. Vittalamurthy.

BANGALORE: Karnataka tourism is going global. The State’s tourism calendar for 2008, which was released here on Saturday, will soon be distributed in America by the Association of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA).

Speaking at a function to release the calendar, Information and Tourism Secretary I.M. Vittalamurthy said AKKA had asked for the calendars with a list of American holidays in it. “The calendars are getting printed and we will soon send them for distribution. AKKA has asked for 1,500 calendars,” he added.

“This would help us in promoting Karnataka tourism in foreign countries. It is significant that we have showcased Karnataka’s heritage and monuments that are listed at the world-level this time,” he said. Explaining the features of the calendar, Mr. Vittalamurthy said that it had a surprise for people at every flip of the year. “We have printed wall calendars and desk-tops both in English and Kannada,” he added. The calendar has the world’s largest open-air museum in Hampi; 320 km of coastline; Jog Falls, India’s highest un-tiered waterfall; Gol Gumbaz, the world’s second largest unsupported dome; Shivanasamudra Falls, ranked among the top 50 of the world’s best waterfalls; Lord Gomateshwara in Shravanabelagola, Asia’s largest monolithic statue; Dandeli, India’s only white water rafting spot south of the Himalayas; Malik-e-Maidaan in Bijapur, the largest cannon of the medieval World, etc.

Chairman of the Legislative Council B.K. Chandrashekar, who released the calendar, said the Tourism Department should give priority to promoting eco-tourism. “We should have a sense of pride about our tourist spots. In the present scenario of global warming, eco-tourism is in much demand,” he added.

Director of the Tourism Department C. Somashekara and Managing Director of Jungle Lodge Resorts N.D. Tiwari were present.