Bengaluru, November 2022: Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka in a bid to promote the State as the most sought out tourist destination in the Country Hosted a series of Roadshows at Panaji, Mumbai & Pune on 21st November 2022, 23rd November 2022 & 24th November 2022 respectively. These series of roadshows are organized along with Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (KSTDC) is aimed to increase domestic footfalls into the State from Goa & Maharashtra. 

The Roadshow held in Mumbai was inaugurated by Sri. Kapil Mohan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka along with Mr. Sudhir Patil, NKCCA & Ms. Ishrat Patel, ADTOI. Similarly, the roadshow at Panaji was inaugurated by Mr. H.P. Janardhana, Joint Director (Promotion & Publicity), Department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka, Mrs. Indiramma, General Manager-Finance, KSTDC along with Mr. Sainath Krishna Prabhu, Chairman - TAAI (Goa Chapter), Mr. Martin Joseph, Chairman - IATO (Goa Chapter), Mr. Nilesh Shah, President, TTAG & Mr. Ishrat Alam, India Tourism. Pune roadshow was inaugurated by Mr. Mehboob Shaikh, Chairman, TAAI, Mr. Amit Gupta, Director, TAAP, Mr. Deepak Pujari, President, TAAP, Mr. Santosh Khawale, Chairman, ETAA - Pune Chapter.

A performance of 'Veeragase Kunitha’, an ancient art form of Karnataka was organised to showcase the vibrant cultural heritage that Karnataka is known for. The roadshow brought together different aspects of Karnataka tourism such as nature, wildlife, adventure, pilgrimage, heritage, and many more.

Mr. Devaraj A, Director, Department of Tourism said, “Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourist attractions like UNESCO World Heritage sites, splendid wildlife and resplendent nature, virgin beaches etc. It is an around the year tourist destination. The roadshow series will provide impetus to domestic inbound travel and would enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote the state's destinations to prospective tourists and the travel trade of Goa and  Maharashtra."

With a vast range of tourism landscapes such as archaeology, religion, ecotourism, wildlife etc to offer the State offers innumerable experience to vivid travelers. Through these one-day roadshows.  The main objective behind the event was to Promoting the state as a tourist attraction for leisure tourism, MICE - meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, adventure and wildlife tourism and as a wedding destination. 

Mr. G. Jagadeesha, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation said, “Karnataka with its diverse range of tourism products is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive states for both leisure and business travel. Domestic tourism being the backbone of the tourism economy has a lot of potential which needs to be tapped. Post-pandemic, these roadshow activities will be an excellent occasion for our stakeholders to renew contacts with the travel-trade as well as tourists'.”

The roadshow had B2B interactions and presentations that showcased the destination and also opened up new avenues to showcase Karnataka in a new light to the travel and trade community. Some of the stakeholders, who exhibited at the roadshow included Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Jungle Lodges & Resorts, Intersight Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd, TGI Hotels & Resorts, Mysuru Taxiwala, Birchwood Retreat, Mysore International Travels, Whistling Woodzs Jungle Resort, Gamyam Classical Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat, Travel India Company, AB Travels, Royal Orchid Hotels & many more. This exclusive B2B Roadshow had over 20 stakeholders from Karnataka and many discerning trade partners at each city.

About Karnataka: Karnataka – One State, Many Worlds, is well known for silk, milk, coffee, honey and more is home to several forts, architectural marvels and is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Other diverse visitor attractions include pilgrim sites, coastal landscapes and wildlife/national parks. The state offers a variety of tourism attractions that cater to the demand from different visitor segments, such as eco-tourism, wellness tourism and adventure tourism. Over the years Karnataka has emerged as one of the most sought after tourism destinations in the country, and also created a space for itself, in the international tourism circuit. As of 2019, the State was ranked as the third preferred destination among domestic tourists for 3 consecutive years.