Consultants to prepare tourism project reports

‘They will be hired to reduce burden on DCs’

According to Minister for Tourism R.V. Deshpande, instead of spending a small amount on many projects, a few major tourism spots will be identified and world-class facilities will be provided there.

The State Tourism Department has decided to hire consultants to prepare tourism project reports in all districts. They will also assist deputy commissioners, who head the tourism councils, to implement tourism projects on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Speaking to The Hindu during a visit to Jog Falls, Minister for Tourism R.V. Deshpande said that at present, each deputy commissioner heads the council in each district and they had no time to look into the viability of tourism projects. Consultants would be hired on contract to reduce the burden on deputy commissioners preparing project proposals, he said.

In addition, the views of various stakeholders, such as local taxi tourists’ associations, wildlife associations and tourism promoters, will be taken into account while preparing project reports, Mr. Deshpande said.

Instead of spending a small amount on many projects, a few major tourism spots would be identified and world-class facilities would be provided there. There were more than 325 tourism places in the State and the government did not have funds to develop infrastructure at all these places, he said.

The State was planning to come out with Karnataka Tourism Policy 2014–2019 in two months. The draft policy on tourism estimated that fresh employment possibilities at 4.3 million (based on global norms of 10 per cent employment in the sector) in the State.

A legislation on the lines of Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act would be prepared for the tourism sector to facilitate early clearance of projects involving private players.

The Minster said the proposed policy would promote shift in attitudes, from regulation and control to empowerment, from patronage to partnership, with involvement of diverse stakeholders.

Draft policy

According to the draft policy prepared by the department, additional revenue of Rs. 83,000 crore (through direct and indirect taxes) and investments of Rs. 73,000 crore with 50 per cent government funding was needed to give a fillip to tourism in the State by 2024.

He said the 17th property of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. — Sharavathi Adventure Camp — in Shimoga was thrown open to the public.