'Difficult to assess impact of Cauvery issue on Tourism'

It would be difficult to assess the impact of the Cauvery issue and related incidents on the tourism sector, Karnataka TourismMinister Priyank Kharge said today and expressed hope that it would "pull up" andthere will not be much impact during Dasara.
"Dasara is approaching. Because of Cauvery issue and related incidents there are reports that it has impactedthe tourism industry," Kharge told reporters here.
He said "our department considering this as festivalof the department along with state festival, we have planned programmes towards boosting tourist confidence."
"Probably there won't be much impact on tourism," he said.
The department, which has taken several initiatives, is spending about Rs 2.5 crore to promote tourism during Dasara festivities, he said.

Stating that it is difficult to estimate the loss,Kharge in response to a question, said "In Mysuru more than 40per cent of people are dependent on tourism, so it isdifficult to estimate what the loss has been."

"Not only Mysuru,near by Srirangapatna is also a tourist spot. It is difficult to assess as of now, but we hope itwill pull up," he added.
Karnataka is engaged in a legal battle withneighbouring Tamil Nadu over the raging Cauvery river watersharing issue.
This had led to blockade of Bengaluru-Mysururoad and sporadic violence in parts of Southern Karnataka.
Along with an exclusive Dasara website, print,electronic and digital media platforms are also being utilisedfor more promotional activities.

Initiatives like special package on the "GoldenChariot" train, 'Royal Routes' to help tourists discover Mysuru and to popularise the other less famous palaces have beenorganised by the department.
It has also entrusted Kairali Aviation Private Limited to operate "Akasha Ambari", an aircraft from Bangalore(HAL Airport) to Mysuru Airport from October 1 to 15 for air connectivity. The cost per passenger for the air travel would be Rs4,000, officials said.
Kharge today also gave details of severalinitiatives by the Tourism department to mark World TourismDay tomorrow that included 'Pitch to the Government Hackathon'to crowd-source innovative solutions and products from startups working in Tourism sector.

It has also come out with PRATHAMA (Pravasi Thana Mahiti), a holistic online MIS (Management Information System) backed system for collating and disseminating key informationon the tourism sector in the State is first of its kind inIndia.
Kharge also said that in probably a month andhalf, the tourism department would come out with an annual calendar of events, which would be promoted jointly byit.