Mangaluru: Coastal region has immense potential for tourism, says Uday Shetty


Hemacharya

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangaluru, Oct 28: In our quest to invigorate more opportunities to spruce up tourism in the Coastal region and also to update ourselves with the role played by the Tourism department in the district, we met Uday Shetty, currently heading the Tourism department, in his official position as District Statistical Officer, on September 20, the day Mangaluru was announced as the Smart City, three years ago.

Uday Shetty reiterated the same point of views earlier expressed by Vatika Pai, former president of Canara Chamber of Commerce, who also heads a prestigious Travel company and Eulalia D’Souza, one of the prominent tour operators.

Uday Shetty agreed that due to the shortage of funds and adequate facilitates, at the moment the region is facing a downfall in the tourism activity, although he said all the efforts are underway to enhance the activities in the near future. “All is not lost, we are in the right direction,” – he said while listing out the tourism-oriented programmes being shortlisted for the season. He explained that the department played a significant role in setting up of a Kiosk (information counter) at the NMPT Cruise lounge, which becomes handy for the international tourists to acquaint themselves with the region. “The department has arranged more toilet facilities at various tourist destinations by involving corporate companies such as NMPT, MRPL, MCF and others as part of their CSR project, besides the ones built by the district
administration. NMPT, by its own has identified Karkala (near Gomata Hills, Udupi district), and Moodbidri (near the Thousand Pillar Basadi), Kadri Temple, Kudroli, Pilikula, and Panambur Beach to build and operate these state-of-the-art toilets at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lac each. Efforts are on to involve more companies and destinations under this initiative,” he said.

“I am on the way to submit a detailed proposal to the government soon, that consists of a list of new and potential tourist destinations in the district, with adequate information with pictorial evidence,” he further clarified. He also said his proposal will consist of cost Vs revenue equation, possible revenue and employment opportunities this proposal will provide to the region, etc.

He also expressed his concern on factors such as lack of facilities at the present tourist destinations already listed by the department and said his proposal also deals about how such facilities are maintained through third party contractors (such as Sulabh Sauchalaya in places like Mumbai and Goa and elsewhere) are engaged to take care of toilets’ maintenance.

When we inquired if setting up of a ‘Coastal Tourism Authority’ will give a significant boost to tourism in Coastal district, he signalled his assertion and said, this will not only give a much needed fillip to tourism in the region, but also will help us attract the foreign tourists vessels direct to Mangaluru and stay on for the night over so that the concerns envisaged by the tour operators are sorted out. If this happens, we will be able to engage more specialised tour guides with a specific programme. Also we will be in a position to accommodate more vessels every year.

“Unfortunately today, the Cruise Vessels wind up their visit within a day and proceed towards Goa or Cochin for the night stay for want of better star hotel/resort facilities. Not that we do not have better sandy beaches in our region but just that we lack better resort facilities in here,” he stated.

He also expressed hope that the BJP government both at the centre and at the state level will turn out to be beneficial in unveiling new tourism based initiatives and release funds on time so that what we plan can be effectively implemented within the specified time period.

“By far, our Coastal regions have immense potential to be transformed as the best possible tourist destinations, not only for the international travellers but even for the domestic tourists,” he concluded.

Highlights from the interview:

• Focus will be on capitalizing on tourism around waterways like rivers, backwaters and beaches. Also to create the conducive infrastructure around the rivers by involving private investors.

• Additional jetties will be set up and also more ferry services. Safety of the people will be given highest priority.

• Virgin beach near Kerala border will be developed through public auction for a 15 years lease basis.

• Opportunities will be provided to businessmen to play a role in developing tourism, by giving permission to set up floating restaurants.

• Houseboat services will be launched across Netravati/Gurupura/Kuloor rivers through subsidy to private players.

• Over the next 4 to 5 years, the districts will witness a tremendous change in terms of plans announced under Smart City project as the government has promised to infuse more funds within soon.

• An 18-hole golf course attached to a resort to come up near Tannirbavi/Bengre beach.

• The plan is underway to develop and launch a Tourism based App.

• A detailed proposal for a multi-task project is underway and will be submitted to the government within soon.

• An agreement for the maintenance of toilets and other public amenities will be signed with Sulabh Sauchalaya.

• September 27 will be celebrated as World Tourism Day under the theme ‘Tourism and Jobs- Better opportunities for all'.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Save My India, India

    Wed, Oct 30 2019

    Sounds like he found out something nobody knew ever before.

    Nalini should be made tourism minister of coastal region immediately.

    Jai Hind!!!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • VK, Mangaluru

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Useless people..! 25 years ago also we heard same dialogues like we have tremendous potential.

    We cant even maintain ONE Kadri park in the entire city. We can't even complete a simple flyover in so many years.

    Forget that, we have no idea how to maintain the road condition in one place at Nanthoor (I am not asking for the highway - that will be too much..)

    WE keep digging our concrete road near Mallikatte (near KFC) every 6 months and still not able to solve that...

    These 'good for nothing' guys are to be blamed..... Every now and then they come and give press conference that new bus terminal will come up near pumpwell.... Chappali yalli hodibeku.... !

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • sunitha, udupi

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Tourists will come flying and land and fly from every destination, because highway is still broken

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • abdul munim, mangaluru

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Everyone knows all around the world that any coastal region of any country will attract tourists.
    Gokarna beach, Goa beaches are perfect example for this. In Goa many people are making a living out of tourism.
    But in the athi buddivantha jilles of Udupi and Mangaluru or DK, this will never happen because of the right wing goons.
    The home stay attack in 2008 and the church attacks, set these districts back forever.
    Mangalore was slated to be the next IT hub in 2005. But after these incidents even the BPO which opened on a large scale in Jeppu Morgansgate lost all the business.
    Keep on saying we will still vote for??

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lewis, Udupi

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Some People are busy in Thrashing the couples at Beach, Locals are scared to go out and why would Tourist come?

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dsouza, Mudarangadi/udupi

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    We have potentials, but political goondagiri in the name of moral policing, dividing socieity in the name of B.dal, poping up faces in the name of religion securing peoples etc spoiling all potentials. Finally they are happy to see coastal or India same as stone age era.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kishore Kumar, Mangaluru

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Mr. Shetty you left out construction of motorable bridge between Sultan battery to Tannirbavi which is being prevented by some local elements. Tannirbavi beach will be the nearest beach to the city if a permanent bridge is bulit here. This will also increase the tourism in the area.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Every year few kilometres of land is getting into sea by means of sea erosion! Who can take measure to prevent such erosion? We are busy with cow and communal politics, who has time for tourism? We have no vision, About calibre of our MP / MLA less said the better.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Atlanta

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    Agreed we have a great Tourism Potential but who will deal with these Uneducated ...

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Surathkall

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    Talapady to Karwar coastline is approx. 300 km. If Govt develop beaches in this coastline, is sufficient for attracting Tourists. Just a comparison with that of Goa, which has lesser coastline but tourists throng there for good umber of beaches. Coastal districts have developed by private developers from Nitte, Manipal, Yenepoya, Kanachur.... to name a few.
    Govt need to take appropriate step to increase Tourism!

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Shetty, Dubai

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    First try to educate and control the religious outfit goons... All foreigners avoid Mangalore because of all fireband useless , jobless organizations who take law in their hands.

    We finally became fit for Cow protection even though cows number reduced to 10% over the years !
    Mangalore would have been heaven for tourism by now. Unfortunately pub attack.. resort attacks spoiled the image of our Mangalore in world Map.. RIP Goons!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • VISHUKIRAN FERNANDES, Kalasa

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    Everybody knows that coastal regions have great potential for tourism, but usual answer is no funds to develop. Where is tax payers money going?

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • D'Souza, Bangalore/Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    Tourism???

    Whoever you are.. First try to bring the road connectivity to our capital city to motorable condition.. forget good road.

    Escalate the issue to the concerned sleeping idiots.

    DisAgree Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vinod raj, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    ಅಯ್ಯ ಕರಾವಳಿ ಕಡಲ ತೀರದ ಜನರು ಕಡಲು ಕೊರೆತ ದಿಂದ ಕಂಗಾಲಾದರೂ.ಸರಕಾರ ಕಣ್ಣೆತ್ತಿ ನೋಡುವೋದಿಲ್ಲ.ಇನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರವಾಸೋದ್ಯಮ..😯😯😯

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ozy, Surathkal

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    First get rid of fanatic mind set, unless you solve this problem no tourist will come to Mangalore.

    DisAgree Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    First and foremost thing there should be peace and communal harmony. Automatically investors will come to develop tourism. There is no nature’s beauty in Bangalore unlike mangalore still people folk to Bangalore. No proper infrastructure., Airport is not fully developed etc.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • abdul munim, mangaluru

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    as highlighted in the article, the main issue foreign tourists face in India is lack of hygiene, especially in the washroom and toilets. This needs to be addressed. Otherwise, not only foreigners, even a person like me who has worked abroad will not visit any tourist places not only in DK but anywhere in India.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • abdullla, india

    Mon, Oct 28 2019

    1/ Set up Tourism Office with Clean, clear websites.
    2/Set up Tourism Police for safety and security.
    3/Let college introduces Tou guides: Bilingual.
    with Thorough language, clear explanation.
    4/Let the Hotels be tied with: Expedia, and other social media sites.
    5/ start Air B&B with locals.
    Let the dwelling place s / Kitchens be inspected first...
    Clean Water to be available
    Clean Toiets...
    5-star facilities a clean.
    6/Bus/ Train connectivity to travel further north or south..to Coonoor/ooty/Goa/ Coorg etc.
    it has to be planned...
    along with varieties of Festivals, CARNIVALS.
    Temple viists...
    EX:
    Coffee day.
    Seafood day.
    along with Diwali...
    Yakshagana....kathakali.. bharatha naatyam.
    etc.
    Music shows.
    People have to be polite, friendly and cordial...
    warm and receptive..helpful.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Fully agreed, If few of your suggestions are followed. it will be a good beginning. One or two 3 star hotels and decent Coffeday type of outlets facing the sea and ample paved area on beach will get it on the move. Tourism police by government not moral policing by cheap outlets is absolute essential. We can have dozens of such buzzing locations from Ullal to Karwar. Not to forget two way approach roads to the beach on every such locations. Now we have twisted one way roads.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: Coastal region has immense potential for tourism, says Uday Shetty



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