Karnataka launches hi-tech Travelers Nooks in Hampi under Swadesh Darshan 2.0

The tourism department says the move is aimed at helping tourists spend time with ease in Hampi, which is slated as one of the global tourist destinations along with Mysuru and Lakkundi. | Photo credit: File Photo

After constant complaints from tourists about the lack of basic amenities including clean and hygienic toilets, baby rooms, waiting rooms in Hampi, the Tourism Department has decided to fill this gap.

Recently, one such hi-tech facility, Travelers Nook, was inaugurated near the Shri Krishna Swamy Temple in Hampi by Tourism Minister KJ George in Hampi. These facilities are being established under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a centrally funded initiative of the Union Ministry of Tourism to develop sustainable and responsible tourism. The scheme provides financial assistance to states, union territories and central agencies to build world-class tourism infrastructure across the country.

Officials from the tourism department said the move is aimed at helping tourists spend time with ease in Hampi, which is also slated as one of the global tourist destinations along with Mysuru and Lakkundi.

Speaking to The Hindu, Energy and Tourism Minister KJ George said, “Hampi is one of India’s greatest civilizational treasures and a proud global heritage destination of Karnataka. Our vision is to make every visitor’s experience as memorable as the destination itself. The Traveler Nooks developed under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 set a new standard for safe tourism infrastructure that is world-class and provides a clean tourism infrastructure. compromising the unique character of Hampi inheritance.”

Ram Prasath Manohar, Commissioner, Department of Tourism, said that the Department of Tourism, through Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL), has already commissioned one such Traveler Nooks facility.

“Twenty more such facilities will be constructed and commissioned in the first phase of Traveler Nooks under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. Out of these five such facilities will be functional within a few months. The project approved at a cost of ₹ 25.63 crore aims to transform Hampi into a world-class cultural heritage site by providing modern facilities and preserving visitor-centric monuments.”

Three categories

The department has further classified these Travelers Nook into three categories depending on attendance, location requirements etc.

According to details from the tourism department, the three categories include Noble, Royal and Imperial Travelers Nook. The Noble Traveler Nook offers basic amenities such as safe drinking water, hygienic public toilets, vending machines, retail outlets, public Wi-Fi and wayfinding facilities to help travelers find their way around easily.

The Royal Travelers Nook extends these services to include an ATM, coffee shop, tourist information kiosk, gift shop and feeding and changing room, in addition to basic visitor amenities.

Designed as a G+1 (security services) facility, the Imperial Traveler Nook represents the highest level of visitor services and includes a cloakroom, sanitary pad vending machine, expanded retail space, café, tourist information center, gift shops and other premium facilities to provide visitors with a comprehensive hospitality experience.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 21:08 IST