Dubai investors are showing interest in tourism in Karnataka, says KJ George

Energy and Tourism Minister KJ George inaugurates the World Tourism Day celebrations at the Mysuru Palace premises on Sunday. | Photo credit: MA Sriram

Energy and Tourism Minister KJ George on Sunday said investors who showed interest in the state’s tourism sector during his recent visit to Dubai would be given a “red carpet” welcome.

Inaugurating the World Tourism Day celebrations organized by the district administration and the Department of Tourism at the Mysuru Palace premises, Mr. George said that several Indians he met during his visit to Dubai had shown great interest in investing in Karnataka’s tourism sector.

“The government will welcome them with a red carpet and provide necessary facilities,” he said.

Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait, who also spoke at the programme, urged the government to create a tourism circuit covering five districts. Such a circuit would provide better guidance to tourists and enable them to conveniently visit temples, wildlife sanctuaries, zoos and major attractions like the Brindavan Gardens at the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (KRS).

Mr. Sait also urged the state government to introduce a system of lighting the Mysuru Palace for at least 30 minutes at a fixed time every day throughout the year, rather than restricting the lighting to the Dasara season. This, he said, would encourage tourists to stay overnight in Mysuru.

He also called for more promotion of traditional tonga rides in Mysuru and the creation of a network system to make it easier for tourists to tour the city.

New tourism policy

Mr George said the state government was committed to developing the tourism sector and ensuring the profitable operation of institutions operating in the sector. The government granted tourism infrastructure industry status and introduced a new tourism policy to facilitate long-term investment and provide greater incentives to investors.

He said that tourist destinations including coastal region, Malnad, Hampi, Badami, Vijayapura, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and UNESCO recognized monuments are being developed on priority.

The minister also said that the district administration has been instructed to provide separate seating arrangements and other facilities for foreign tourists visiting Mysuru during Dasara.

HD Kote MLA and Karnataka Jungle Lodges and Resorts Chairman Anil Chikkamadu, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan, Tourism Department Secretary Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikant Reddy, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, MCC Commissioner MK Savita and representatives of tourism and tourism.

Published – 27 Sep 2026 18:27 IST