Karnataka signs 6 MoUs with cos for adopting tourist spots

To give a boost to the tourism sector, the Karnataka government today signed six MoUs with corporates for adoption of tourist destinations in the state.
The MoUs (memorandum of understanding) were signed under the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-20 that was launched today.
As per the report of Karnataka Tourism Vision Group, till 2020, the state is expected to receive an investment of Rs 54,000 crore, which will likely help in creation of 30.38 lakh jobs in the tourism sector.
Chief Minister Siddaramaih said the government has decided to hand over 18 sick tourism units to private players.
The MoUs were signed between Tourism Department and nodal departments like horticultures, state archaeology, forest department and corporates like Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Lalbagh, Jindal Foundation for Bengaluru Museum, Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores Private Limited for Ranganathittu, Tasveer Foundation for Venkatappa Art Gallery, West Coast Papers Mills Limited for Kavala Caves and Coffee Day Enterprises for Belur and Halebidu.

In the next five years, Siddaramaiah hoped that Karnataka will become one of the top tourist destinations.

Tourism Additional Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Kharola said the department has identified nearly 319 destinations in the state.
The payment of land conversion fee for converting the land from agriculture use to non-agricultural use for development of tourism projects will be reimbursed.
Karnataka Tourism Vision Group Chair T V Mohandas Pai said the footfalls will reach 210 million in next 10 years.
The concessions and investment subsidies under the policy will be available to all new and additional investments made during the policy period for eligible tourism projects and expansion projects mentioned in the policy, Kharola said.

Fresh notification for tax exemptions would be issued based on the GST notification of union government, Kharola said.
These products focus on holistic development of tourism, including connectivity and information infrastructure, he said.
Apart from this, soft activities of skill development, film induced tourism is also covered under the policy, Kharola said.