Bengaluru: Tourists visiting Karnataka’s popular destinations may soon be able to enjoy food from Mayura Hotels without having to travel to a hotel outlet, with the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) planning to launch ‘Mayura Ruchi on Wheels’, a mobile food service at major tourist hotspots.
The initiative is aimed at taking food prepared by KSTDC’s Mayura Hotels directly to places frequented by tourists. Tourism Minister K J George said the mobile service would offer quality, hygienic and tasty food while also showcasing Karnataka’s diverse culinary traditions.
Food vans to be introduced in phases
Speaking after a meeting with KSTDC and Tourism Department officials in Bengaluru on Saturday, George said food vans would be introduced in phases at several prominent tourist destinations.
The initial locations identified include Hampi, Madikeri, Jog Falls, Mysuru, Nandi Hills and major tourist centres in Bengaluru.
The mobile food outlets are expected to provide tourists with convenient access to meals and refreshments, particularly at destinations where food options may be limited or where KSTDC’s existing hotels are located away from the main tourist areas.
George said the initiative would help bridge the gap between Mayura Hotels and tourists by taking the corporation’s food services directly to locations with high visitor footfall.
KSTDC operates 24 Mayura Hotels
KSTDC currently operates 24 Mayura Hotels across Karnataka. While these properties cater to tourists and travellers, some are located away from the main attractions at popular destinations.
According to George, this distance can make it inconvenient for tourists to visit the hotels simply to access their food services.
‘Mayura Ruchi on Wheels’ is intended to address this issue by bringing Mayura Hotels’ food closer to tourists.
The food vans will operate as mobile extensions of the Mayura hospitality network, allowing KSTDC to reach visitors at tourist centres instead of limiting its food services to fixed hotel premises.
Local delicacies to feature on menu
The mobile food service will offer a range of breakfast items, snacks and meals, along with select regional specialities from different parts of Karnataka.
The initiative is also intended to introduce tourists to the state’s diverse food culture. By giving prominence to local delicacies, KSTDC hopes to combine tourist convenience with an experience of Karnataka’s regional cuisine.
The focus on local food could also provide opportunities for local communities associated with food preparation and tourism-related activities.
First mobile food initiative for KSTDC
KSTDC chairman M Srinivas said the corporation was taking up a mobile food service initiative of this nature for the first time under the guidance of Tourism Minister K J George.
He said the objective was to make Mayura’s quality food available at locations that attract large numbers of tourists.
Srinivas also highlighted the potential of the initiative to create employment and business opportunities for local people by giving priority to regional delicacies.
The mobile units could therefore serve a dual purpose — providing tourists with convenient food options while promoting local cuisine and supporting livelihoods linked to the tourism sector.
Food an important part of tourism experience
Tourism Department secretary Dr Ram Prasath Manohar V said food forms an important part of the overall tourist experience.
He said ‘Mayura Ruchi on Wheels’ would extend KSTDC’s hospitality services beyond its hotel properties and bring together local food culture, quality service and tourist convenience.
The initiative is expected to complement Karnataka’s efforts to improve tourist facilities at major destinations by offering organised food services at locations with high visitor movement.
Focus on tourist convenience
Tourist destinations such as Hampi, Jog Falls, Mysuru, Madikeri and Nandi Hills attract visitors throughout the year, with footfall often increasing during weekends, holidays and festival periods.
Providing mobile food outlets at such locations could give visitors another organised option for breakfast, snacks and meals while reducing the need to travel away from tourist attractions in search of food.
The phased rollout will allow KSTDC to assess demand and operational requirements at individual destinations before expanding the service to more locations.
Promoting Karnataka through food
Beyond providing meals, the initiative is expected to use food as a means of promoting Karnataka’s cultural diversity.
Regional specialities can give tourists an opportunity to experience local culinary traditions alongside the state’s heritage sites, hill stations, waterfalls and other attractions.
If implemented successfully, ‘Mayura Ruchi on Wheels’ could become an additional component of KSTDC’s tourism services, taking the Mayura brand directly to visitors across Karnataka.
The initiative will initially focus on major tourist centres, with further expansion likely depending on its response and operational performance.