The Government of Karnataka is drafting a new Coastal Tourism Policy and establishing a dedicated Coastal Tourism Board to accelerate investment and development along the state’s 380-km-long coastline, Tourism and Law Minister H.K. Patil announced at the 55th Annual Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) convention.
Addressing hoteliers, Patil urged industry leaders to invest in coastal projects through hotels and resorts, noting that the government has already identified more than 40 locations for tourist accommodations. “There is currently a lack of facilities along the coast. To address this, the tourism department has initiated preliminary meetings, and both Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and I will be travelling to Mangaluru soon for further discussions,” he said.
Patil also highlighted ongoing development at Anjanadri Hills and Savadatti Yellamma Gudda, aimed at enhancing visitor experience at these major pilgrimage and tourist sites. To diversify stay options, the government is reviewing its homestay policy to allow more homeowners to host tourists through bed-and-breakfast facilities, especially in regions where large resorts are not feasible.
FHRAI President K. Syama Raju welcomed the initiatives but called on the state to recognise all hotels, not just star-rated ones, as industries, and urged the creation of a convention centre with a capacity of at least 1,500 people to strengthen the hospitality sector’s infrastructure.
The convention was attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Industries Minister M.B. Patil, and Prestige Group Chairman Irfan Razak, underlining the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and private stakeholders to shape Karnataka’s tourism future. With the proposed Coastal Tourism Policy and Board, Karnataka aims to position itself as a leading destination for coastal and cultural tourism while unlocking fresh opportunities for investment, employment, and sustainable growth in the hospitality sector.
