44 beaches and still not a tourist hub!

Bengaluru: If tourism minister R.V. Deshpande had his way, Karnataka would be a buzzing tourist paradise what with 319 tourist spots. But that has not happened so far and the Congress veteran blames it on rigid coastal regulations which have stopped beach development.

Private equity in tourism can work wonders which the minister, a prominent industrialist himself, knows quite well. He has on his mind a lot more things too – better infrastructure including clean toilets, plus trained Tourist Mitras to guide and protest tourists, scuba diving at Netrani Island and surfing at Panambur beach.     

If anybody in the Siddaramaiah cabinet could be called a workaholic, it is R.V. Deshpande. The former KPCC president, now higher education and tourism minister, is giving shape to the tourism sector brick by brick. Unlike his predecessors like G. Janardhan Reddy who spoke of many plans like heli-tourism, which proved impractical, Mr Deshpande is determined to make a mark and feels his stint in the industries department might prove useful. Aided by a vision group on tourism, he is planning to get private investment. The state has 319 tourist spots which will be abuzz with tourists once private investment flows in, he says in an interview with Deccan Chronicle. Here are excerpts.

Now that the government has completed two years, perhaps the time has come to discuss the achievements in tourism?
Firstly, tourism potential of the country has not been tapped. Tourism is one area which has a lot of potential in Karnataka. Except snowfall, you name any activity, you can find it in Karnataka. In small countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, tourism contributes 14-20 per cent of the country’s GDP. This is one sector which generates large wealth and employment to semiskilled or local people. Concerns were raised in the past over security, infrastructure, cleanliness and sanitation and more so connectivity. We in Karnataka initiated several measures to resolve the issues As soon as we came to power, we formed a vision group under Mohandas Pai which has already given a road map on how to go about the task.

What is the status of coastal tourism?
We have a 320-km long coast. We have not seen any tourism activity we can be proud of along the coast. The reason is the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rule. From the high tide point, we can’t carry out development activity till 500 meter. The Union government appointed a committee under the guidance of Dr Swaminathan which had to visit the entire coast both in the east and west and give a report on the places where rules can be relaxed for tourism. We have sought relaxation for 44 beaches under CRZ regulations. This is pending before the Centre. Recently when I met Union forest and environment minister, Prakash Javadekar we discussed this issue. The Centre released '50 crore to develop 23 beaches. Work has started on building infrastructure and watch towers, toilets and other facilities.

The cabinet cleared a proposal to set up a tourism infrastructure corporation. Can you elaborate?
We have decided to set up a tourism infrastructure corporation in which the state will have a share of 26 per cent and the remaining will be private equity. This corporation’s job is to develop tourism department land and give it on lease. For the first time, to rate tourism products, restaurants, travel agencies, home stays and other activities, four rating agencies were hired. We also introduced a scheme for corporates spending funds on tourism spots under CSR activity. The legislature passed Tourism Trade Facilitation Act to regulate tourism. Our effort paid dividends, two universities have started training tourist guides. We feel the guides should know the local art, culture and foreign languages. Those who are undergoing training, are getting stipend from the government. To take care of safety of tourists, we have decided to introduce Tourist Mitras. The government will recruit young boys and girls with powers of constables to help and guard tourists at tourist spots.

We are hosting the Asia Pacific Travellers’ Association meet in Bengaluru between September 6 and 8. We are expecting over 1,000 delegates from 50-60 countries. This is an international event and will open the gates for tourism in the state and the rest of India.

Any scope for the introduction of adventure sports?
We have plans for scuba diving in Netrani island and in Panambur, we will introduce surfing.

But, here the vehicle tax is very high, so travel operators claim it is easier and economical to go to Sri Lanka than come to Karnataka. In such a situation, how can operators make tourists visit the state?
This is an inter-state issue which does not come under my department. During the Dasara festival, we relax the norms. All states have to agree on this. The issue is with the Southern Zone transport ministers. They have to resolve the issue.

Do you have plans to link cleaning of tourist spots with Swachh Bharat programme?
Swachh Bharat is a priority programme of the NDA government. Unfortunately, they slashed the budget allocation for this programme. The Centre failed on this front.

The question is about linking Swachh Bharat programme with cleaning tourist spots.
No. We want to involve companies under the CSR programme. Besides we have various other programmes being implemented by agencies like ASI.

What about promoting Mysuru as the Yoga capital?
We have a wellness tourism programme under which yoga will be promoted. I want to add something here. Yoga is nobody’s baby. It is here since ancient times. No caste, no religion, no barrier can stop it.

In the present anti-industry climate, do you think private players can get involved in this?
I do not agree with the view that we have an anti-industry climate. We are for industry.

See, Asian Paints and Hero Motors moved to neighbouring states. If such a situation continues, how do you think you can push for private investment?
We are in a competitive world. It is not that we are lagging behind. Actually, other states have offered more incentives so they moved to Andhra Pradesh. We have to push hard to attract investments. I know the challenge. We have to compete with other states and get more investments. I am confident of bringing investment to this sector.