Bengaluru: The Department of Tourism has drawn up a Rs 3000 crore action plan to give a facelift to 20 important tourism destinations, including Belur and Halebeedu, Badami and Somanathapura in the state, according to Minister for Tourism, Sugar and Sericulture Sa Ra Mahesh.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle , he said a high-level meeting would be held next week under the chairmanship of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to seek approval for the action plan to improve the infrastructure and other facilities at these tourism spots. With the Department of Archaeology coming under the tourism department, it would help provide infrastructure at historical monuments and with adventure tourism gaining popularity among the young, the department planned to promote it in a big way as well, he said. The Minister revealed that the number of foreign tourists visiting Karnataka had dropped by around 8,000 to 10,000 over the last two years owing to the drought in several of the districts and the recession.
"We have asked the officials concerned to look into the reasons for the dwindling foreign visitors and to also hold roadshows abroad showcasing the rich heritage of Karnataka to draw more tourists to the state," he said.
Noting that despite being a small state, Goa managed to attract a large number of tourists, he regretted that despite the many beaches, historical monuments, palaces, and forests in the state, Karnataka did not attract as many foreign tourists. "This shows the tourism policy has some flaws which need to be addressed," he said ,adding that the policy would be tweaked in consultation with the stakeholders to make to make it more tourist- friendly.
