Mangaluru: While several states are struggling to promote tourism during the pandemic, tourism in the Dakshina Kannada district is booming as people are arriving to the coastal region in huge numbers. With September 27 being celebrated as the World Tourism day, 13 tourists from Pune arrived at Mangaluru International Airport in a private jet and were welcomed by the Department of Tourism officials on September 26 at 11.30 am.
Before travelling to Kodagu, the 13 tourists from Pune would visit the 1000-pillar Basadi in Moodabidri, Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, Bappanadu Temple, Dharmasthala Temple, and Kukke Subrahmanya Temple.
Yathish Baikampady, former Chief Executive Officer of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project said, “If you try to book a guest house or resort in Mangaluru or any other coastal region for the next month, you will not be able to do so until November. This is the evidence that tourism is booming in this area. People prefer to visit the coastline region rather than Goa and Kerala. This situation has been constant since June and July, with visitors coming to Mangaluru.”
He further added that another flight has also arrived. “People must comply with the demands. Immediate requirement is that we need more places to stay, go on outings, and have entertainment,” he said.
District Administration and the Tourism Department of Karnataka has plans to hold special programmes to boost tourism and projects to be undertaken for development of infrastructure facilities at local beaches such as Tannirbavi and Panambur which will soon have toilets, restrooms, and other facilities.
In addition to this, DC Rajendra K. V. said that beginning of bus services up to the beach will be discussed during a meeting to be held on September 27 to celebrate World Tourism Day. Further, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) has given approval for a golf course to be built at Bengre Beach, and also that there is a plan to create a resort-like facility after acquiring the necessary land.
