Focus on lesser-known attractions

The Union government, in collaboration with the Karnataka government, is making relentless efforts to improve the tourism landscape of the state. Mohamed Farouk, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Bengaluru Office, reveals the details of activities being undertaken by the ministry to bring more investment to the state.

Amita Pandey

The Union Ministry of Tourism has taken multiple initiatives under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme to develop tourist spots in and around Karnataka’s Mysuru and increase tourist influx. Elaborating on the project, Mohamed Farouk, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Bengaluru Office, said that the ministry is focusing on two major sites in Karnataka – Mysuru and Hampi. “Apart from these, we are also working on development of pilgrimage amenities at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and developing a destination under the Challenge-based development scheme,” he said, in a conversation with TRAVTALK on the sidelines of ‘Discover Mysuru’ Bloggers Meet 2024, which was organised to promote Mysuru – one of the cities identified by the government for tourism development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.  Farouk said that the ministry has also been identifying trekking, heritage, and archaeological spots, along with ideal weekend getaways, and carrying out targeted promotions to attract visitors. The idea is to shine a spotlight on lesser-known attractions in Karnataka, he added.

Why Mysuru?

Asked about the reason behind choosing Mysuru under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, Farouk said that the city stands out for its rich heritage, vibrant culture, and distinct cuisine. Farouk described Karnataka as a state with limitless tourism potential. “Karnataka has it all—except snow! Whether you are looking for leisure, adventure, eco-tourism, or wildlife, there is something for every kind of traveller, regardless of age,” he reasoned.

As per the India Tourism Statistics 2023, the domestic visitor arrivals witnessed by Karnataka in 2022 were 1824.1 lakh and foreign visitor arrivals were 1.285 lakh. In 2022, the number of domestic visitors in Karnataka grew by 124.28 lakh in comparison to 2021 while inbound tourists increased by 77.3 lakh during the same period.

Engaging with travel agents

The Ministry of Tourism has been actively coordinating with tour operators to boost tourism in the state. “We organise familiarisation tours for potential tour operators from other states,” Farouk shared, highlighting that events like the Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE), tentatively scheduled for February 2025, will bring both domestic and international players to explore the state’s offerings.

He also highlighted Karnataka’s potential as a MICE destination. “The state is working on establishing a Karnataka International Travel Bureau, modelled on the Indian Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) by the Union government. Once established, this will pave the way for large-scale conferences and incentive programmes in the state in the coming years,” he said.

Centre-State synergy

On the collaboration between the Centre and the state government, Farouk emphasised that tourism is primarily driven by the state. “Forming state-specific tourism policies and reforms, such as the one in Kerala, can significantly boost a region’s tourism sector,” he said. However, he was quick to add that both central and state government, in partnership with private players, are working to improve infrastructure, such as world-class rest areas on highways, enhancing road travel experiences and supporting the rise of caravan tourism.