Mysuru tourism operators disappointed

Shilpa P | NT

City-based tourism stakeholders have expressed their disappointment over the Union budget, for not announcing any special tourism project for the heritage city or for not making any allocation to enhance air connectivity.

Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association President C Narayangowda said, “We were expecting for the announcement of Mysuru-Chennai bullet train which has been proposed long back. There has not been any allocation for the extension of runway of Mysuru airport to accommodate Air bus A320 national and international flights with at least 180-seater capacity. As hospitality and tourism sector has suffered huge loss in the past two years due to Covid pandemic situation, we expected announcement of some immediate relief packages to both sectors. We hope at least in the State budget, the Chief Minister of Karnataka must come up with loans with less interest for our sectors, and also subsidies for startups,” he said.

President of SKAL international Mysuru, an association of travel and tourism professionals, B.S. Prashanth said, “Though tourism sector contributes 10 per cent of the GDP, the allocation for the sector is disappointing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to make Mysuru a Paris during his visit to Mysuru prior to 2014 parliamentary elections. So we had high expectations. While allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore has been announced for each State, we hope that a good chunk of it is allotted for the tourism sector in the State. While 25 ropeways are being announced, we wish one rope way is given to Chamundi hills of Mysuru,” he said.