Vijayapura: Minister for Tourism, C. P. Yogeshwar said that the government has been constructing four three star hotels in four districts of the State at the cost of Rs. 85 crores.
Speaking after laying foundation stone for the new Three Star Hotel being built near historic Bhutanal Tank on Tuesday June 29, he informed that the hotel would be completed within 18 months.
“The contractor has been asked to maintain quality while constructing the hotel,” he asserted. Informing that the government has prepared several projects for the development of the tourism sector, he said that several schemes have been announced to help the tourism sector to recover from the loss it has incurred due to Covid pandemic and lockdown.
“We are giving several relaxations to the tourism industry to revive it,” the minister said. Yogeshwar said that the Central Government too has decided to issue 5 lakh visas free to foreign tourists to boost the tourism sector.
In order to help tourist agents and tourist guides who have experienced big hit due to the pandemic, he said that the government has made a special plan to help them. As far as the State government is concerned, basic facilities are being provided at historical places such as Vijayapura, Hampi, Belur and Badami where three star hotels are being built, he added.
He said that after the completion of Airport work at Vijayapura, more tourists would arrive to boost the sector. Stating that ample opportunities are available for tourism development in North Karnataka region, he said that the government is giving 25% subsidy for developing the hotel industry.
The Minister said that seaplane services are planned to be introduced at five waterfalls of the State. “We are in touch with the Central Government to provide this facility under the Udan scheme,” he said.
“We plan to introduce water sports, adventure sports and recreational facilities for people at different dams such as Almatti, KRS, Tunga-Bhadra etc”, he said.
An announcement which could boost the morale of BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal who has raised an open flag against Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra, Minister for Tourism, C. P. Yogeshwar has said that he would stand with Yatnal and hoped that he will get a good position in the party.
Further, the minister said that he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Yatnal and become his voice as well. “I am optimistic that soon Yatnal will get better opportunities in the party. I want to tell him that I am with him in every way like a good friend”, Yogeshwar declared.
On the reports that no leader of Gulbarga welcomed him at the airport, the Minister tried to downplay the matter, stating that owing to Covid pandemic, he did not inform his visit to any leader. “No need to attach any politics to it”, he stressed.
On the occasion, MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said that the city has several world-famous monuments. The government should illuminate them to attract more tourists. “Special projects should be made to develop them”, he said.
He also urged the government to shift the regional ASI office from Dharwad to Vijayapura.
