Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 17: The hospitality sector in coastal Dakshina Kannada is poised for a major expansion, with entrepreneurs committing close to Rs 500 crore in investment for the development of four new five-star hotels, in a move expected to significantly boost tourism and premium accommodation in the region.

Of the proposed five-star properties, three are being promoted by local investors. Industry stakeholders said the projects are aimed at retaining tourists who currently travel to destinations such as Kerala or Kodagu after landing at Mangaluru International Airport, largely due to the absence of luxury hotel options along the coast.

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One of the five-star hotels is planned at Gurupura and is already under construction, while another has been proposed in the Kuloor area. These projects are expected to be completed within the next two years and are likely to address the long-standing shortage of premium hospitality facilities in coastal Karnataka.

Stakeholders from the IT sector and other business segments pointed out that the lack of five-star hotels in the region has repeatedly been flagged by visiting investors, business delegations and tourists.

A senior official from the tourism department said that Mangaluru, despite hosting several mega industries, being a prominent education hub with numerous medical colleges and hospitals, and emerging as a growing IT centre, does not currently have a five-star hotel offering premium hospitality.

“As a result, most of our visitors move to other districts or even to a neighbouring state after landing at Mangaluru International Airport. The launch of five-star properties will attract more tourists to this region,” the official said.

With Mangaluru city continuing on its development trajectory, industry observers said the hospitality sector offers considerable scope for new investments and is expected to play a key role in supporting tourism and business growth along the coast.