Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D’Souza said that the state govt will establish a Coastal Tourism Development Board (CTDB) to promote tourism activities in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts.The MLC told reporters here on Thursday, that deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar will convene a meeting of all stakeholders, including elected representatives from the three coastal districts, in Mangaluru, to chalk out detailed plans within 15 days. Quoting a reply from the govt, the MLC said that a proposal to establish a CTDB has been included in the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2024-25. The purpose of establishing a board is to prepare action plans for various tourism activities in coastal Karnataka and implement the same, he said, adding that he has requested the govt to convene a meeting of investors in Mangaluru. “The board will be given powers to take up special initiatives for tourism development in the coastal region. The board will prepare a comprehensive master plan with a major focus on planned and sustainable tourism development by providing infrastructure and ensuring the coordination of the society,” he said.In 2023, coastal Karnataka witnessed a footfall of more than eight crore tourists, which is nearly 15% of the number of tourists arriving in the state. The govt aims to develop coastal Karnataka into a world-class tourism destination with a special focus on 320 km of seashores, and the development of amusement and adventure sports. While coastal tourism activities, including cultural programmes, water sports, and other entertainments are regularly organised, efforts will be made to showcase the tourism potential across the world to attract more foreign tourists, he said, adding that the govt will put in efforts to bring at least 10 major tourism projects to the region.Create land bank to boost tourism: KhaderAssembly speaker UT Khader called for the creation of a dedicated land bank to support tourism projects in coastal Karnataka. Khader told reporters that investors in tourism require ready-to-use land. “Investors will not wait through prolonged acquisition processes. Hence, a designated authority, similar to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), should notify the acquisition of both govt and private land for tourism-related purposes,” he said. Khader said that he has urged CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar to consider holding a future cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, after the upcoming one in Vijayapura. “By then, local representatives and officials should be prepared with a comprehensive list of demands for the district,” he added.
