Care to indulge in a bar of chocolate as you gaze at the magnificent Vidhana Soudha or the ancient monuments at Hampi or Pattadakal, while waiting to fly out to your next destination?
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has Brand Bengaluru stamped all over it, with a generous sprinkling of what Karnataka has to offer with its ‘One State, Many Worlds’ tagline.
A sweet reminder of this would be the ‘Rage’ chocolate bars. The ‘local’ experience lies in not the flavour of the chocolates, but in their packaging. Designed to look like a book, the outer covering offers a glimpse of the various tourism attractions in Karnataka, such as the Gol Gumbaz, Belur and Halebidu temples, and Mysore palace, with their brief description, making them a collector’s item and an unlikely souvenir.
Another offering is the Channapatna candle stands — quintessentially Karnataka with a twist. ‘The Lotus House’ store at the domestic lounge claims to benefit 150 artisans directly and 500 artisans indirectly, showcasing and selling “over 10,000 genuine products”. Famed products from other south Indian States, such as Tanjore paintings from Tamil Nadu and Kondapalli toys from Andhra Pradesh are also available.
The aim is to offer a slice of south India, said a KIA spokesperson. “We made the changes when we expanded the terminal. We work closely with the State’s Tourism Department to decide on the art, craft and destinations we intend to sell. Even when we choose brands to be placed inside the airport, there is a sense of place to everything under which we think about how to create a south Indian experience,” the spokesperson said.
KIA has Brand Bengaluru stamped all over it, with a generous sprinkling of what Karnataka has to offer
