Koppal Seeks to Blend Heritage, Technology in Tourism Push
The administration wanted to encourage more quality digital content on Koppal tourism and use digital technology and AI tools to take the district’s tourism attractions to a global audience.
Koppal: Koppal is looking to blend its rich heritage and natural attractions with artificial intelligence and digital technology, as the district administration seeks to give a fresh push to tourism while ensuring that development remains sustainable and heritage-sensitive.
Inaugurating the World Tourism Day celebrations held at Anegundi on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner Dr Suresh B Itnal said Koppal had immense potential for tourism, but development had to go hand in hand with protection of its historical and natural heritage.
With Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located close to Anegundi, development activities must follow heritage norms and UNESCO guidelines.
Heritage Impact Assessments should be undertaken wherever required to ensure that tourism-related development does not affect the environment or historical character of the area, he said.
The administration is working on a series of measures to make it easier for tourists to explore Koppal’s heritage sites.
These include facilitating approvals for homestays, developing tourist circuits, promoting cycling, introducing ‘rent-a-bike’ services and providing toilet complexes and information boards at tourist destinations.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Sidrameshwar said digital platforms had become an important means of promoting tourist destinations and reaching potential visitors.
He said the administration wanted to encourage more quality digital content on Koppal tourism and use digital technology and AI tools to take the district’s tourism attractions to a global audience.
As part of the programme, appreciation certificates were presented to the winners of a special content creation competition organised by the District Tourism Department with the aim of promoting digital innovation, adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable tourism in the tourism sector.
Certificates were also presented to various organisations and associations for their contribution to tourism development.
On Tuesday, the administration organised a cycling rally from the foothills of Anjanadri Hill to Gagan Mahal at Anegundi.
The rally, involving officials and hundreds of cycling enthusiasts, sought to promote cycling as an environment-friendly way of exploring the district’s historical landscape.
The district administration is also seeking greater community participation in keeping tourist destinations clean.
Local gram panchayats, temple management committees and residents have an important role to play in ensuring proper waste management, reducing plastic use and maintaining cleanliness at tourist spots, Dr Itnal said.