Hemacharya

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangaluru, Oct 28: In our quest to invigorate more opportunities to spruce up tourism in the Coastal region and also to update ourselves with the role played by the Tourism department in the district, we met Uday Shetty, currently heading the Tourism department, in his official position as District Statistical Officer, on September 20, the day Mangaluru was announced as the Smart City, three years ago.

Uday Shetty reiterated the same point of views earlier expressed by Vatika Pai, former president of Canara Chamber of Commerce, who also heads a prestigious Travel company and Eulalia D’Souza, one of the prominent tour operators.

Uday Shetty agreed that due to the shortage of funds and adequate facilitates, at the moment the region is facing a downfall in the tourism activity, although he said all the efforts are underway to enhance the activities in the near future. “All is not lost, we are in the right direction,” – he said while listing out the tourism-oriented programmes being shortlisted for the season. He explained that the department played a significant role in setting up of a Kiosk (information counter) at the NMPT Cruise lounge, which becomes handy for the international tourists to acquaint themselves with the region. “The department has arranged more toilet facilities at various tourist destinations by involving corporate companies such as NMPT, MRPL, MCF and others as part of their CSR project, besides the ones built by the district
administration. NMPT, by its own has identified Karkala (near Gomata Hills, Udupi district), and Moodbidri (near the Thousand Pillar Basadi), Kadri Temple, Kudroli, Pilikula, and Panambur Beach to build and operate these state-of-the-art toilets at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lac each. Efforts are on to involve more companies and destinations under this initiative,” he said.

“I am on the way to submit a detailed proposal to the government soon, that consists of a list of new and potential tourist destinations in the district, with adequate information with pictorial evidence,” he further clarified. He also said his proposal will consist of cost Vs revenue equation, possible revenue and employment opportunities this proposal will provide to the region, etc.

He also expressed his concern on factors such as lack of facilities at the present tourist destinations already listed by the department and said his proposal also deals about how such facilities are maintained through third party contractors (such as Sulabh Sauchalaya in places like Mumbai and Goa and elsewhere) are engaged to take care of toilets’ maintenance.

When we inquired if setting up of a ‘Coastal Tourism Authority’ will give a significant boost to tourism in Coastal district, he signalled his assertion and said, this will not only give a much needed fillip to tourism in the region, but also will help us attract the foreign tourists vessels direct to Mangaluru and stay on for the night over so that the concerns envisaged by the tour operators are sorted out. If this happens, we will be able to engage more specialised tour guides with a specific programme. Also we will be in a position to accommodate more vessels every year.

“Unfortunately today, the Cruise Vessels wind up their visit within a day and proceed towards Goa or Cochin for the night stay for want of better star hotel/resort facilities. Not that we do not have better sandy beaches in our region but just that we lack better resort facilities in here,” he stated.

He also expressed hope that the BJP government both at the centre and at the state level will turn out to be beneficial in unveiling new tourism based initiatives and release funds on time so that what we plan can be effectively implemented within the specified time period.

“By far, our Coastal regions have immense potential to be transformed as the best possible tourist destinations, not only for the international travellers but even for the domestic tourists,” he concluded.

Highlights from the interview:

• Focus will be on capitalizing on tourism around waterways like rivers, backwaters and beaches. Also to create the conducive infrastructure around the rivers by involving private investors.

• Additional jetties will be set up and also more ferry services. Safety of the people will be given highest priority.

• Virgin beach near Kerala border will be developed through public auction for a 15 years lease basis.

• Opportunities will be provided to businessmen to play a role in developing tourism, by giving permission to set up floating restaurants.

• Houseboat services will be launched across Netravati/Gurupura/Kuloor rivers through subsidy to private players.

• Over the next 4 to 5 years, the districts will witness a tremendous change in terms of plans announced under Smart City project as the government has promised to infuse more funds within soon.

• An 18-hole golf course attached to a resort to come up near Tannirbavi/Bengre beach.

• The plan is underway to develop and launch a Tourism based App.

• A detailed proposal for a multi-task project is underway and will be submitted to the government within soon.

• An agreement for the maintenance of toilets and other public amenities will be signed with Sulabh Sauchalaya.

• September 27 will be celebrated as World Tourism Day under the theme ‘Tourism and Jobs- Better opportunities for all'.