Air India keen on connecting Mysuru to South Indian cities

National carrier Air India has expressed interest in connecting Mysuru to other major South Indian cities.

Karnataka Minister of Tourism RV Deshpande, addressing a joint press meet of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Karnataka government, said talks are on between the State government and Air India in this regard.

The State government has offered to underwrite seats for Air India’s operations in Karnataka. “We cannot disclose it at the moment, but we are discussing the quantum of seats to be underwritten,” said a senior tourism department official.

Karnataka will host the 2015 edition of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA travel mart) in Bengaluru in September. The event will be held on September 6-8.

Deshpande said, “We have signed an agreement with PATA on the host cities’ roles and responsibilities. Hosting this event in Bengaluru will give global visibility and physical showcasing of various tourist destinations.”

The state is likely to benefit from this travel show wherein nearly 60-70 countries are taking part. Also due to central government’s e-Visa facility to about 76 countries is expected to increase footfall of foreign tourist arrivals. The State witnessed about 5.81 lakh tourists.

The State has brought out investor friendly tourism policy where in incentives; concessions are made available across the 17 tourism products. “State will promote and encourage hotels and resorts to come up, way side amenities, museums and galleries promote adventure tourism, agri tourism and rural tourism,” said Deshpande.

“The State is home to 320 kilometres of coastline with beaches. We requested the central government for CRZ relaxation for 42 beaches and four islands which have highest tourism potential in the coast. Though Karnataka is rich in tourism potential we are yet to match this potential with right kind of investment in the sector,” he added.

Mario Hardy, CEO and APAC chief PATA, said, “We had successfully held PATA mart in Hyderabad in 2008 and in New Delhi in 2011. This year’s event will showcase both rich cultural heritage and high-tech features of city of Bangalore.”

“Besides the mart, we are also planning to hold PATA Travel Technology Forum in Bangalore to allow delegates to network and learn from highly experienced industry leaders in travel, tourism and hospitality trade,” he added.