Mangaluru: The hospitality sector in coastal Dakshina Kannada is poised for significant expansion, with entrepreneurs committing close to Rs 500 crores in investment for four new five-star hotels.Of the proposed properties, three are being promoted by local investors. Industry stakeholders said the move is aimed at retaining tourists, who currently travel to Kerala or Kodagu after landing at Mangaluru International Airport, due to lack of premium accommodation in the region. One of the five-star hotels is planned at Gurupura and is under construction, while another has been proposed in the Kuloor area. These projects are expected to be completed within the next two years and are likely to address the long-standing shortage of luxury hotels along the coast. Stakeholders from the IT sector and other businesses pointed out that shortage of five-star hotels along the coast was frequently flagged by visitors and investors. One of the senior officials from the Tourism Department added that Mangaluru, despite having several mega industries, an education hub with many medical colleges, hospitals, and also with a growing IT hub, has no five-star hotel to offer premium hospitality. The region is also preferred by visitors for tourism. “As a result, most of our visitors move to other districts or to a neighbouring state after landing at MIA. The launch of five-star properties will attract more tourists to this region,” he stressed. As Mangaluru city continues on a development trajectory, the hospitality sector offers significant scope for new investments.
