Mangaluru: Famous for its annual beach festival, Mangaluru is now getting ready for a river festival slated for January 12 and 13, which it hopes will boost its river and backwaters tourism by appealing to water sports lovers among others.
The logo of the two -day festival was released by Minister UT Khader on Tuesday. The river festival is another offering from Dakshina Kannada, which is already known for its religious and beach tourism. In recent years it has also become the go- to destination for surfers.
But the district has not tapped the potential presented by its four major west flowing rivers until now. While small efforts were made by individuals to use the rivers for tourism in the past, this is the first time the district administration and tourism department have woken up to the opportunities they present.
While a proposal for the infrastructure needed to boost river tourism in Dakshina Kannada has been submitted to the state government, the district administration has already permitted the establishment of a cruise restaurant and boathouses on the rivers.
The coming river festival at an island on the Phalguni river near Bangrakuloor is meant to introduce river tourism to both the locals and outsiders.
People will be able to reach the island both by road and boats from Kuloor, Tannirbavi and Sultan Bathery. The event will feature water sports, floating food stalls, a river cruise and an open air film show.
Tourism department assistant director, Udaykumar Shetty says the festival will be held on other rivers too from next year.
