JSW Steel, Biocon sign MoU for tourism projects.

Karnataka recently unveiled its 'Tourism Policy 2015-20' and rolled out the red carpet to corporates to partner in tourism projects on offer.

'The new tourism policy intends to set a road-map to accelerate and facilitate private investments and promoting entrepreneurship in the tourism sector,' RV Deshpande, Minister for Tourism and Higher Education told BusinessLine.

'The policy also aims to provide quality experience to visitors, facilitating and accelerating investments and improving livelihood opportunities at the local level,' he added.

The main highlight of the state's new policy is ‘Adopt a Tourism Destination' plan. The State has 390 tourist destinations. 'In the first phase, we are offering 46 destinations to the corporates,' said Deshpande.

'We have received good response so far. Six companies and institutions have come forward to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),' he added.

Prominent companies which have come forward to sign MoU and the five-year agreement with the Karnataka government and the state tourism department are: Bio-pharma major Biocon, showing interest in adopting Government Museum.

Coffee Day, which has interest in coffee retailing and having plantations in Chikamagalur, Hassan and Kodagu has opted for Belur-Halebid located in Hassan district.

JSW Steel, which has established a mega integrated steel plant at Toranagal in Ballari, in the heart of iron ore mining in Bellari has adopted Hampi.

The Bangalore Chamber of Industries and Commerce (BCIC) is keen to manage Lalbagh.


HBL