In an effort to boost coastal tourism, Tourism Minister H.K. Patil informed the Assembly on Tuesday that the state government is working on negotiations with Russia to acquire seaplanes, after the country expressed interest in this sector. The state has also identified 40 potential nodes along the 320-km coastline and inland waterways for deploying these planes.
Addressing BJP legislator Gururaj Gantiholi’s query, Patil mentioned that senior officials are engaging with several nations about procuring seaplanes, with Russia showing particular enthusiasm. “We are in discussions about inviting Russia to move things forward,” he added. The coastal region offers vast opportunities for tourism across sectors like education, religion, health, beach resorts, and adventure. With over 8 crore tourists visiting annually, the government is also considering a specialized financial package for this region.
The Tourism Department has shortlisted 40 nodes and has invited tenders for their development. Six companies have already expressed interest, and the discussions are in progress. However, Gantiholi emphasized the need for amending CRZ rules and establishing a Coastal Tourism Development Board for the plans to succeed. Patil assured that the new 2024-29 tourism policy addresses these concerns.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar highlighted the importance of thriving nightlife for coastal tourism. He stressed that unless the region becomes vibrant after dark, attracting investment will remain challenging. Furthermore, he noted that many educated youths leave the region for better opportunities elsewhere, urging MLAs to tackle this issue.