Karnataka, attractive Southern Indian state, has a new airport at Gulbarga in the state’s heritage rich northern region, new second terminal at Bengaluru airport, is rolling back renovated luxury train, offering plentiful wild at its jungle lodges and resorts and has yoga and Ayurveda wellness centres. These and many more travel products enticed delegates at the launch edition of Karnataka International Travel Expo(KITE) 2019.
Catherine, a seller from Netherlands, said: “I got my best lion, tiger and bear photos while on a safari at Bannerghatta Biological Park just outside the city of Bengaluru. These are precious for me.” This was 12th Indian visit for Catherine and she was mesmerised at the close sightings of the big five animals on a wild safari during the day tour organised during KITE 2019.
KITE gave exposure to the state’s variety products to help increase the overall size of the tourism sector in Karnataka by gathering international professionals looking for new ways to package or write about Karnataka as a travel destination.
Kumar Pushkar, Managing Director, KSTDC, said: “Karnataka has more tigers and elephants than anywhere else in the world. The state is also home to the rare black panther. State’s diverse range of products is making it a productive destination for travel trade for both leisure and business travel. KITE as a regular biannual event, will be a globalised one-stop sourcing and a vital networking platform for tourism stakeholders from across the world.”
Yoga Dhaama, a seller at KITE offered yoga and wellness packages that ranged from a few hours to a few days. The wellness centre is near Mysore, the palace city situated 3 hours drive away from Bengaluru. Ayuruniverse, another exhibitor, is an online platform connecting with more than 80 wellness centres across Karnataka and India. Ruby Chakraborthy, Head Content creating, Ayuruniverse, said: “ We are pioneers in connecting wellness centres from across India and Karnataka and are a one-stop shop for tourists looking for Indian wellness packages.”
Quarry Adventures, one of the exhibitors at the B2B Karnataka travel event featured professional adventure activities at Coorg, the cool mountainous region. Their activities included zip lines, treetop adventure, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, treks and hikes through coffee estates.
Sunil Gulati, Managing Director, Trace India Tours, said: “I am always looking for new accommodation options for my clients. Am happy interacting with representatives of exclusive eco friendly resorts like Swaswara near beach town of Gokarna, Ibnii, Evolve Back and Tamara in Coorg. Eagleton Golf Resort seems interesting too.” Ibnii is a 100 percent eco-friendly luxury resort spread on 125 acres of pristine wooded coffee and spice plantation that has strict no-plastic policy.
Kumar Pushkar, MD, KSTDC
Mr Pushkar said: “State run Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) hotels and resorts are adopting green measures and are setting a sustainable example for others to follow.” KSTDC 20 properties are processing all the waste for in house use.
Sunil Gulati, MD, Trace India Tours
The new airport at Gulbarga will be commissioned by December this year. It will give easy access to heritage destinations of Bidar, Pattadkal, Bijapur and Hampi. Kempegouda International Airport at the state capital Bengaluru will get a second terminal by year-end. The airport at India’s Information Technology capital will introduce paperless check-in and boarding. A new airport is also being planned at the coastal city of Karwar to be ready in 4 years time to showcase beaches of the state. Karnataka Tourism plans to showcase double the number of monumental attractions at KITE 2021 event.
Written by Anand & Madhura Katti
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