TBM Staff - Mumbai
Bengaluru, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced on Saturday that the state is planning to introduce a new tourism policy to attract investments into the industry.
Speaking at the event “Dakshin Bharat Utsav” jointly organised by Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Karnataka Tourism Department, he emphasised that a good tourism policy will attract industrialists and investments. When industrialists thrive, the government receives more revenue, jobs are created for the people, and the industry grows.
Shivakumar invited representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Telangana to share their experiences and noted that Karnataka is looking to develop its 300-km long coastline. He suggested that Bengaluru could become a tourist hub in addition to being the IT capital.
The government will also be issuing new tenders for a sky deck in Bengaluru. To create new tourist spots for the next generation, Shivakumar mentioned that a sky deck is planned in Bengaluru, with new tenders to be issued within the next 8-10 days.
Additionally, the government is planning to develop Brindavana on the lines of Disney land, with budgetary allocations made in the last budget for this project.
Shivakumar highlighted that the 18% GST is killing the tourism industry. If businesses lose more than half their revenue to taxes, they will not be motivated to invest more. He urged the people and the industry to raise these issues and asked investors and industrialists to submit their demands in writing to the government. “We need you to walk with us in our journey to improve tourism in the state,” he added.
