Pics: Harshini Brahmavar/Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 27: "Most of the tourists from Goa move towards Mangaluru without being aware of the tourist places in Udupi. They should also travel to Udupi to enjoy its beauty. This is the aspect that needs to be improved. It is something that we are working on. The vision document is at the final stage and will be submitted to the Karnataka government so that Udupi is recognised as a tourism destination. We are planning to develop tourism majorly in this area," said district deputy commissioner (DC) G Jagadeesha.

He was speaking on the occasion World Tourism Day jointly organized by the district administration of Udupi, tourism department, Malpe Beach Development Committee, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Udupi, Coastal Tourism Associations and Scouts and Guides, at Malpe beach on Sunday, September 27.

He further said, "Beach development is everyone’s responsibility. We need to provide a good atmosphere and facilities for tourists at the beach.

"Padubidri beach has received eight out of 10 marks and two international juries were part of this judgment. If the beach gets full marks, it will receive international recognition. It has already gained Blue-Flag recognition and the district administration is also working to provide it with a new dimension so as to develop tourism in the area," the DC said.

Speaking on the occasion Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde president Coastal Development Authority, Mangaluru said, "The beaches in the coastal areas are not developed when compared to other states. We have lots of opportunities and resources. However, we lack a farsighted vision. The district administration of both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi need to focus on improving tourists places by developing them and building resorts."

Swachhta Pakhwada campaign was organized to mark World Tourism Day. Scouts and Guides students and all members took part in the beach cleaning task.

Preethi Gehlot, CEO, zilla panchayat; Sadashiva Prabhu, additional DC; Dinakar Babu, president zilla panchayat; Manohar Shetty, president, Coastal Tourism Association; Raghavendra Kini, president, Urban Development Authority; Chandrashekhar Naik, assistant director, tourism department, and others were present.

World Tourism Day in Mangaluru

The district administration, tourism department and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) conducted World Tourism Day at Thannirbavi, Bangre village with due diligence of the guidelines of the health department Covid-19 guidelines with mask, sanitizers and social distancing.

The programme mainly concentrated on securing confidence among tourists to visit Dakshina Kannada and ensuring faith to all the promoters of hotel, travel, home stays and build confidence in business during this pandemic period. The programme was inaugurated with nature awareness by watering the plants by children to instill awareness among the children about nature.

The events included plantation drive, sports encouragement in tourist destination by organising beach volleyball for youths of villages, surf life saving demo and awareness to the tourists by Rastriya Life Saving Society (RLSS), erection of safety signage at Thannirbavi and other beaches.

Swachhatha Pakwad event was also conducted along with World Tourism Day by cleaning the Thannirbavi beach stretch by the Mangaluru City Corporation, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Yojaka India Pvt Ltd.

Quotes on placards depicting cleanliness measures were displayed for the tourists to create awareness to have clean earth, city, tourism destination, climate, environment, oceans, rivers, lakes to preserve and sustainability for the next generation and enhance the beauty of nature.

The dignitaries present in the event were Dr Rajendra K V, deputy commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, Akshay Shridhar, commissioner, Mangalore City Corporation, Sunitha, corporator, Thannirbavi, Bangre, Somashekar B K, assistant director, tourism department, Issac Vaz, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce, Chandrahasa Sherry, president, Mangaluru Hotel Association, Jagadeesh Boloor, managing director, Yojaka India Pvt Ltd.