Mangaluru: Despite the disappointment of the cancelled direct flight between Mangaluru and Singapore, Singapore-based NRIs have launched a proactive tourism drive to revive interest in Coastal Karnataka. Their new initiative includes specially curated travel packages for Singaporeans, with the aim of creating a consistent tourist flow and building a strong case for future direct air connectivity.
The first tour, titled ‘Ashta Kshetra Darshan’, will commence on June 13. This five-day itinerary focuses on visits to eight significant temples across the coastal region, blending spirituality with local sightseeing. The program is being offered in collaboration with Udupi Vaibhav, a well-known tour operator.
Rajesh H Acharya, director of HQ Connections Pte Ltd, Singapore, is spearheading the initiative. He said the tours were designed not just to attract tourists but to revive international interest in the region—especially after plans for direct flights starting January 2025 were withdrawn.
Future travel packages include ‘Exotic Tulunadu’—focusing on beach adventures—and ‘Rome of the East’, a heritage tour of Mangaluru’s famed churches. Both are slated to launch in September.
Among the first to join the inaugural tour are Asokan and Mohanammbal, a Singaporean couple of Tamil origin. For Mohanammbal, this journey fulfills a 14-year wish to visit Kollur Mookambika Temple, a promise rooted in a meaningful encounter in Thiruvarur.
Acharya added that tours will be organized monthly, targeting over 2 lakh Indian expats and Singaporean nationals, while also seeking broader support from the global Tulu diaspora.
Read Also: