Koppal emerges as surprise hotspot as Karnataka struggles to woo foreign tourists

Karnataka’s foreign tourist numbers have yet to bounce back to pre-Covid levels, despite a gradual rise over the past two years. Data from the Tourism Department shows only 4.85 lakh foreign visitors explored the state’s destinations in 2024—far fewer than the figures recorded in the three years preceding the pandemic.

However, one district stands out: Koppal. In an unexpected surge, Koppal’s foreign tourist numbers skyrocketed from just 760 visitors in 2018 to over 50,000 in 2024, making it the third most-visited district by foreigners, behind Mysuru and Udupi. Remarkably, even Bengaluru Urban logged fewer foreign visitors than Koppal.

Experts attribute Koppal’s surge partly to its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Hampi, and also to recent improvements in tourism infrastructure. The demolition of unauthorised homestays in areas like Virupapura Gaddi and Anegundi, followed by the growth of legal homestays and resorts, has improved both tourist experience and data accuracy.

A Tourism Department official noted that better regulation and the rise of authorised accommodations in Koppal’s Anegundi, Marlanahalli, and Basapur regions have streamlined data collection, giving a clearer picture of visitor trends.

While Karnataka continues to market itself as a land of “One state, many worlds”, officials admit that challenges like poor infrastructure, limited accessibility, and inadequate hospitality facilities hinder the state from ranking among India’s top 10 foreign tourist destinations.

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