State identifies 2,500 acres for tourism projects

As part of its initiative to promote tourism, the department of tourism, has identified over 2,500 acres for tourism activities. The department has also started working towards realising the plans it had announced as part of the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2009-14.

The government is in possession of 1,100 acres and has identified another 1,400 acres of privately-held land which will be offered to those wanting to set up tourism projects. The government is looking to set up its own projects as well as projects as public private partnerships (PPP) on the lands.

“We have a target of attracting increased investment from 2009 to 2014 to develop tourism in the state. For this, we have started offering incentives like 50 per cent exemption on stamp duty for investment of less than Rs 50 crore and 75 per cent exemption on stamp duty for projects of Rs 50 crore and above,” said K Viswanatha Reddy, director- tourism, department of tourism, Government of Karnataka on the sidelines of a meeting with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

It has been learnt that a Chinese company has come forward with the proposal to set up a theme park on the outskirts of Bangalore with a large investment outlay. The company is understood to be keen on putting up the investment on its own and is looking to set up a theme park with water sports, sky riding and other adventure sports. For this, it is in talks with the Karnataka government to acquire around 1,000 acres. The company is in the initial discussions with the government and is looking to put up the infrastructure in a year if it gets the go-ahead from the government.

Karnataka is estimated to attract 550,000 international and 275,000 domestic tourists per annum. The state is expected to see a demand for 25,000 rooms in the next five years. To facilitate stay of tourists in Kodagu, Chikmanglur and Shimoga, the government is promoting the Athithi Karnataka Home Stay facility where those possessing well-constructed houses with unused rooms can come forward to register with the government.

“In the last six months we have approved 259 home stays,” said Reddy. For the last mile connectivity to tourist spots, the government is looking to spend Rs 15 crore in the coming months.

JungleLodges and Resorts (JLR), a unit of the Government of Karnataka’s Tourism Department which runs 12 lodges is planning to set up 10 more. Some other initiatives like a night safari in the Bannerghatta forests with an investment of Rs 178 crore, a golf course in Mangalore over a 150-acre of land, heli-tourism, cruise tourism and caravan tourism are being planned for which the government will invite bids from private entities.