Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Feb 27: The entire area around here is well-known for intricately carved stone sculptures. This taluk has been a tourist centre. More plans to exploit the tourism potential of this taluk are in the offing.

Several projects have already been undertaken to transform this taluk into a tourism hub. More are in the pipeline. The local MLA has drawn up a three-point strategy to provide impetus to the plans. The plan is expected to bear fruits within a year.

Eco tourism, tempo tourism and Tulunadu culture are the three segments which are proposed to be marketed. Under the eco-tourism, visit to naturally rich, picturesque places are proposed to be undertaken. In tempo tourism, visit to places of interest will be the main theme. Under Tulunadu culture, introduction of local culture like Kambala. Towards providing an enriching experience, infrastructure that is supportive of tourism, will be developed.

Other things which will be given attention are safety of tourists, issuance of tourist permits, tourist guide facility, making tourist centres more attractive, organizing publicity campaigns, providing vehicle facility to all the places, and providing lodging at reasonable prices.

The tourism is expected to create new employment through marketing promotions, skill development, attracting investments through interest free loans, fixing of minimum wage for tourist employees, reducing of licence fee etc.

The tourism minister is expected to increase facilities to tourists including arranging tourist guides by the tourism department. When people come here, they should not be making efforts to search for tourist destinations, and there are expectations from the tourism minister to make this happen.