Karnataka govt plans to promote tourism in tier II, III locations

BANGALORE: The state government has decided to move away from the state capital to promote tourism as Bangalore is facing continual troubles of with infrastructure and is no longer a garden city.

State tourism department secretary Latha Krishna Rau said, “We have moved away from the state capital (Bangalore) to promote tourism in tier-two and tier-three locations and are setting up infrastructure facilities for tourists.”

Highlighting the tourist hotspots of the state, including world heritage sites like Hampi, historical monuments and its rich flora and fauna at the second day of the Global Investors' Meet (GIM 2012) here, he informed that the state government is holding discussions with prospective investors to build infrastructure facilities in central, northern and coastal areas of the state, which abound with a range of tourist and religious spots.

In the tourism sector, the state attracted Rs 35,000-crore investment proposals at the two-day mega event. Majority of these projects are for setting up infrastructure facilities at Mysore, Hampi, Pattadakal, Aihole, Belur, Bijapur and Jog in the state.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has inked an agreement with the state tourism department to build a five-star hotel at Hampi, about 300 km from Bangalore, renowned for its UNESCO-recognised world heritage site.

Likewise, Orange County, Somatheeram and Windflower have also expressed intentions to set up resorts at other heritage sites, including at Pattadakal, Aihole and Belur.