Mr. Vineet Verma, Managing Director-WTC Bengaluru moderated an interactive session with Mr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, IAS, Secretary to Government, Tourism Dept., Govt of Karnataka. The program was organized by Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce(BCIC) under the aegis of Tourism, Hospitality and Facility Expert Committee in collaboration with Karnataka Tourism Society(KTS). 

The session provided awareness on the benefits under various policies and incentives announced by the State Government. Mr. Syama Raju, President-Karnataka Tourism Society delivered the welcome address.

Mr. Pankaj Kumar during his presentation mentioned that the hospitality sector is seeing positive signs of revival. Majority of the hotels are witnessing 90% occupancy. Government today wants to be a true facilitator and is putting in efforts to attract more overseas tourists. The international airport is attracting more flight services and people into the state. The new scheme of Tourism Department ‘’Script your adventure’’ was also presented. Mr.Kumar announced that Karnataka International Travel Expo will be held in August and invited all stakeholders to participate in the Expo. He added that it will be a perfect platform for B2B meet ups as it is showcasing 300 plus buyers and over 100 exhibitors. Covid safety related measures adopted by the Tourism Department were explained by Mr. Kumar. During his presentation, Mr. Kumar explained the various subsidies, incentives and concessions announced by the Government and highlighted the focus tourism destinations undertaken by the department. Mr. Kumar invited private sector to join the adoption and management of heritage monuments scheme to preserve the monuments and to develop the sites into world class tourism destinations.

Mr. Kumar reminded that while full recovery might take time, Tourism Department is trying to undertake steps to speed up this revival. The Tourism Policy 2020-25 will be more realistic considering the changed environment of doing business. The encouraging response to covid vaccination is also helping tourist destinations to open in a big way. Mr. Pankaj Kumar appreciated and thanked the organisers for their continued support to the Government for the growth of tourism in the State of Karnataka.

The meeting was attended by members of the Chamber and Karnataka Tourism Society. Ms. Roopa Mohan, Deputy Secretary, BCIC proposed the vote of thanks.