Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20: Road map for next five years to be out today

Bengaluru: With the goal of making Karnataka one of the top tourism destinations in the country and one of the top 50 in the world, the state is all set to launch ‘Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20’ on Thursday.

All eyes will be on Tourism Minister R.V. Despande and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as they look to explore private investment opportunities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Tourism sector. In fact, MoUs will be signed between the government and corporates for adopting and promoting tourism destinations.

The tourism policy for the next five years will present proposals for development and utilisation of technology to the fullest to boost the industry. It will also look at preparing an event calendar that will integrate with various other agencies.

V. Ravichandar, a member of Karnataka Tourism Vision Group, says, “This policy will cover a lot of services and will have more clarity then ever. The principles are reasonably clear so that people do not have to approach the government again and again.”

Arvind Jadhav, former additional chief secretary to government, tourism department, who has been one of the key persons in drafting the policy said, “This policy is more responsive to the changing needs of the customers.

“We have put in a year-and-half to prepare the draft. We have just given a frame work, if implemented well; this will really change the face of tourism in the state in the next five years.”