Jungle Lodges to up eco-tourism footprint

Jungle Lodges & Resorts (JLR), the state-owned eco-tourism company, is expanding its operations in the state to promote eco-tourism. It plans to open five more resorts in select locations, JLR managing director N D Tiwari said.

The company is investing Rs 5-7 crore in each resort over the next 12 months to create and expand capacity for stay and leisure activities. “Our plan is to see more natural vistas are opened up for travellers or tourists in the state and facilitate to experience the rich flora and fauna, heritage, weekend getaways, wildlife and allied leisure in the state,” he told reporters.

The 30-year old JLR, presently, operates 13 eco and wildlife resorts at exotic locations in the state, with about 80 per cent occupancy rate round the year. The new eco resorts are coming up at Vilaspur in Bidar district, Talakalale at Jog in Shimoga district, Hampi in Bellary district, Pilikula Nisarga Dhama in Dakshina Kannada district, at Khanapur in Belgaum district and Yagachi in Hassan district.

“Resorts at Vilaspur, Talakalale and Hampi will be completed by 2011, while at Khanapur and Yagachi they are awaiting approval from the Centre and the central zoo authority,” Tiwari said.

During fiscal 2009-10, the resorts had about 80,000 guests, including 40 per cent repeat customers. Unlike in the past, the profile of guests has undergone a sea change, with domestic tourists accounting for 75 per cent of the guests and 25 per cent overseas tourists.

“About 70 per cent of the domestic tourists are from this tech hub comprising of techies, executives, nature lovers and their families,” Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) managing director Vinay Luthra said.

As the country’s largest eco and wildlife resort chain, JLR has been providing nature experiences to travellers in idyllic settings.

The company is also developing a night safari at Bannerghatta National Park on the outskirts of Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore.

Though JLR survived the impact of slowdown last fiscal with a revenue of Rs 27 crore in 2009-10 as against Rs 26 crore during the previous fiscal, it is projecting Rs 32 crore turnover this fiscal (2010-11), with about 90,000 guests.

The company posted a net profit of Rs 4.24 crore in fiscal 2009-10 as against Rs 4.02 crore during fiscal 2008-09.