NEWS: With 320-kilometre coastline, Karnataka aims for Goa-like beach tourism

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Tourism Department has rolled out its first major initiative to enhance the state’s coastal tourism footprint, identifying 40 locations for development.
• The department proposes to develop sea-facing resorts and stays, restaurants, amusement parks, and ocean and backwater cruises under public-private partnership (PPP) models, aiming to transform coastal Karnataka on the lines of Goa
• For the promotion of coastline, annual festivals will be organised showcasing the destinations, local culture and cuisine
• More than eight crore tourists visited coastal Karnataka in 2023, accounting for 12-15% of the total tourist footfall in the state, department data shows.
• The department has also applied for Blue Flag certification for seven beaches. These include Someshwara, Ullal, Sashithlu, Asare, Kodi Kanyana, Padukere, Kodi Kundapura, Shirur and Bailur beaches as a part of the development plans.

Expanding footprint

• 40 spots identified for 320-km coastal tourism push
• Govt will provide land, pvt players will build infrastructure
• Annual beach festivals, theme-based development, etc
• Coastal tourism accounts for 12-15% of tourism footfall in state in 2023