One state, many worlds: this is the recurrent theme in the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2009-14, which was unveiled here on Wednesday. The policy focuses on how Karnataka seamlessly integrates its modern Silicon Valley tag, with being recognised globally as a cradle of stone architecture.

Listing out concerted steps that need to be taken to market Karnataka as a global tourist hub, the policy aims to raise Rs25,000 crore worth investments over the next five years.

Bangalore may soon get another sobriquet as the tourist haven of India, if the state's new tourism policy gets implemented in letter and spirit.

Principal secretary, tourism department, K Jothiramalingam said Bangalore would be one of the prime beneficiaries of the policy's focus on developing destinations under public-private partnership (PPP) models.

The state tourism department will soon unveil Silver and Bronze Chariots, on the lines of the famed Golden Chariot.

While the Silver Chariot will begin operation from January, the Bronze Chariot service will be operated fromMarch-April.

Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), promoters of Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, has announced that it will develop all tourist spots along its 111-km expressway that connects Bangalore and Mysore.

Inaugurating it, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said the maintenance cost of the luxury train was rather high and asked the railways to look into it. Reiterating the allocation made in the budget to tourism, he said the department would get funds in sync with pace of work and there would be no lack of funds. "Twelve new airports will be built across the state and better roads developed to tourist places under public-private partnership initiatives," he said.

Managing director of KSTDC Vinay Luthra said the call centre will be set up on St Mark's Road on July 23 with five employees; it will look after the needs of foreign tourists too. Due to problems of access from all telephone service providers in case of toll-free numbers, calls to the tourism help centre will be charged.

"It is fortunate and a joy that the "Golden Chariot" train is commencing. This was a long cherished desire of the State, which has been fulfilled," she added. Starting from Bengaluru, the train, which has 19 thematically designed coaches, will take tourists to Mysore, Kabini, Hassan, Hospet, Goa and then return to Bengaluru on the seventh day.

Speaking to the sources here today he said the inscription on a copper plate measures 10 inch by 6.5 inch and had a total 33 lines. There were 16 lines in the front and 17 lines in the back side of the inscription. The land grant inscription refers to Keladi ruler Veerabhadranayaka, son of Bhadrappanayaka and grand son of Venkatappanayaka, who is also referred as Kotekolahala.

Heritage Tourism and Eco Tourism will be major thrust of ‘Connect public private partnership’ convention to be held on January 10, to set the agenda for next five years’ tourism in the State.

The lack of enthusiasm and interest among the organisers may be the reason for the dull atmosphere in the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Rani Chennamma, who was the Queen of the tiny principlity of Kittur in northern Karnataka, is considered the 'morning star' of India's freedom struggle and is in fact, an earlier version of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.

Create facilities near heritage sites
To raise sufficient funds for maintenance of monuments and heritage sites, the state and local governments should create facilities for the middle class tourists at such spots, Indian Buildings Congress Director General SA Chakrabarti said today.

Speaking at a Seminar organised by the IBC on 'Rehabilitation and Conservation of Heritage Sites' here, he said common tourists always lacked facilities at heritage sites and tourist spots and creation of such a facility will be a win situation for both tourists and the state government departments maintaining the monuments.

Preliminary meeting was held on August 17 in which representatives from Ghent University also took part, informed Vice Chancellor of Kuvempu University Prof B S Sherigar.

There is no specified limit on the amount of liquor that may be stored in the homestay. Besides, any inspection of the homestay by any government department has to be authorised by the district magistrate, who is the deputy commissioner.

Tourist arrivals to South Karnataka decline
Decline in the number of tourists buses from outside Karnataka since April this year has hit the tourism industry particularly in and around Mysore, a popular tourist distination in the state.

Ever since the state government's decision to hike Entry Tax came into force from April, travel agencies in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have steered clear of Karnataka as each time a 50- seater bus entered the state, the operators would have to cough up a staggering Rs 16,500 as against the earlier Rs 5,900.