Karnataka presses ahead with tourism sector development

Bangalore, Oct 28:

is pressing ahead with

with a new policy to attract private sector investments in the sector, the State's Minister for Higher Education and Tourism R V Deshpande said here today.

"We are also in touch with the Civil Aviation Ministry and airline companies to launch flights to the state's seven smaller airports and improve connectivity to Karnataka's 319 tourist destinations," he said.

In addition to the policy, a vision group, comprising top industrial leaders in India, have been asked to advise the state on further investments in tourism sector. "We want the vision group members to advise on how to attract investment and tourists," he said.

Deshpande said early negotiations have been started with international investors, such as the operators of facilities like London Eye and the Singapore Flyer, to set up similar tourist attractions in the state.

"While the government will invest in infrastructure and improve connectivity with the destinations, it will encourage investments in the tourism facilities," he said at the ITB Asia, an international exhibition of tour operators and tourism facilities being held here recently.

Deshpande said the government would also help in developing human resources for the tourism industry, especially multiple language speaking guides managing the tourists. It was important to have qualified guides speaking many languages when dealing with international tourists.

PTI