Karnataka government announces new tourism initiatives and awards

The Karnataka government has launched the inaugural Karnataka Tourism Awards to recognize excellence across the state's hospitality and travel sectors. Held at the Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on World Tourism Day, the ceremony honored 42 winners, including hotels, resorts, tour operators, naturalists, and content creators.

During the event, Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar announced plans to construct a ‘Karnataka Mandapam,’ modeled after Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, to promote the state's cultural and heritage wealth. Potential sites for the facility include Jakkur, Mysuru Lamps, or NGEF premises near a metro station.

To further bolster the sector, the government has approved the Coastal Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy-2026, which aims to grant ‘industry and infrastructure status’ to tourism projects. The administration is also focusing on promoting tourism in the Kodagu and Malnad regions while protecting local environments. Additionally, the Chief Minister highlighted efforts to improve the ease of doing business, noting that new hotel permissions could be secured within two to three months.