Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with Tourism Minister R.V. Deshpande launched ‘Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20’, which aims to create an investment friendly climate in the state and rope in corporates to make the state a preferred tourism destination. The policy also lays emphasis on increased use of information technology and branding the state.
Following this six MOU’s were signed between the governments and various corporates for adoption of tourist destinations on the occasion. Moreover, the government is looking to provide attractive concessions and investment subsidies for various tourism products and services.
Deshpande told Deccan Chronicle, “This policy is going to take our state to a next leap. We aim to make Karnataka the most preferred destination. Of the 300 destinations we have identified 46 places which we want the corporate to adopt and maintain. People will also see a lot of activities around Cubbon Park soon. Again we are giving a lot of focus on tourist guides, we will give them power that of a constable in order to ensure safety of our visitors.”
The Minister further added, “We are looking to develop beaches and have identified 44 beaches. If we relax the rules and taxes, the tourism will boom along the coast line.” Applauding the initiative, CM Siddaramaiah said, “I have instructed tourism department to go ahead with its initiatives and the government will provide support.”
“Government agencies are not good in maintaining the destinations, so we want corporates to come up and take responsibility under CSR,” he added. The recommendations made by the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group have been important while drafting the policy.
Mohandas Pai, Karnataka Tourism Vision Group Chairman said, “Tourism can create highest number of jobs. The government should give the infrastructure and private agencies to maintain them. We will give more focus on Mysuru as that is our main historic city. We have 300 km coast line, we need to focus on that. Again we are looking to develop urban tourism as well and most importantly train the human resources. We are also creating a portal where will we connect all the agencies and brand the state.”
A big splash
- Tourism police force, ‘Tourist Mitra’, would be deployed at key destinations
- For mega projects, ultra mega projects and super mega projects, loan to the extent of 100 per cent of VAT shall be sanctioned as interest free loan from the date of commencement of commercial operations.
- Hundred per cent exemption on stamp duty for development of tourism projects in FTD, HKR and taluks, under categories 1 and 2.
- Entry tax on plant and machinery and capital goods for development of tourism projects shall be exempted for initial period of 3 years.
- Undertake extensive marketing of tourism products through web, electronic and print media, road shows to position Karnataka as the preferred state.
