At the present state of the industry amid the pandemic and distress, the association seeks support to revive the industry to create value to it’s stakeholders.
Karnataka Tourism Society, established with all major stakeholder travel-trade associations and with the active support of the Govt. of Karnataka is now ready to invite membership from travel, tourism and hospitality stakeholders.
At the present state of the industry amid the pandemic and distress, the association seeks support to revive the industry to create value to it’s stakeholders. The Society is aimed to promote tourism in the State of Karnataka and to promote the interests of all persons engaged in activities connected with tourism.
Major National and State level Travel, Tourism and hospitality associations including the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators Association of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), India Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), BCIC, FKCCI, Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF), Enterprising Agents Association of India (ETAA), SKAL, South India Hotel and Restaurant Association (SIHRA), Travel Agent Federation of India (TAFI), Karnataka Pradesh Hotel & Restaurant Association (KPHRA) etc are part of the founding members of the Society.
The Karnataka Tourism Society with Karnataka Tourism organized the inaugural edition of the “Karnataka International Travel Expo” in 2019( KITE 2019). Being held from the 25–27 August 2019, the event had over 400 registered buyers and media from 29 countries seeking opportunities in the Karnataka Tourism Eco-system and discover the state of Karnataka. The event was inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri BS Yediyurappa.
The three-day event facilitated over 10,000 pre-matched appointments to bring together International and Indian Buyers and sellers showcasing the best of Karnataka. The chief goal of the expo was to increase the overall size of the tourism sector in Karnataka. The event gathered National and International tourism professionals looking to find new ways to further Karnataka as an ideal destination and get a first-hand exposure to various tourism products of Karnataka.
“Tourism contributes 14.8% towards the State’s GDP and supports over 16 million jobs. Karnataka has immense potential to become a world-class destination and we in Karnataka are supporting the efforts of the tourism departments to globally market the State”.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch of the Membership drive, Mr. TK Anil Kumar, Secretary – Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka said “Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourism products with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, splendid wildlife and resplendent nature, virgin beaches to adorn. Karnataka Tourism Society will enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism in inbound travel and tourism and promote our destinations to major markets within India and from abroad.”
Mr. K Shyamaraju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society said “The Karnataka Tourism Society promises to be a unique opportunity for us to explore business opportunities for the the tourism industry in Karnataka. Karnataka International Travel Expo helped create a networking eco-system to focus on developing business opportunities with the travel trade from India and abroad. The stakeholders of Karnataka have accorded a tremendous support to the event facilitating the familiarisation tours across Karnataka”.
He also added “The Society has been in the forefront as the voice of the Industry and several of it’s recommendations and suggestions have been accepted by the Government of Karnataka, specially during this pandemic”.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
