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.
Connect 2008 will create a strong foundation to accelerate the growth of tourism industry,  Tourism Secretary IM Vittalamurthy told reporters here.
A Tourism Investors Meet will be held on February 5, where land owners and people who want to invest in the growth of the industry will be brought on one platform.
Connect-2008 will have industry leaders from hospitality, tourism and healthcare, along with government decision makers who will formulate the agenda. Chairing the sessions will be KSIIDC CMD Dr Shoba Nambisan who will speak on ‘Challenges of Infrastructure’, PWD Principal Secretary Sudhir Krishna on ‘Challenges of Connectivity’, UNESCO-India Office Director Minja Yang on ‘Challenges of Heritage Tourism’, Dr Devi Shetty on ‘Sub Sectoral Challenges’ and Mr Vittalamurthy on ‘The Way Forward’.
Hampi masterplan will be published on January 25. The 232 acres will be developed by Tourism Department and 90 acres by private parties.
Plans approved
The Centre has approved three eco-tourism projects in Udupi, Chamarajnagar and Kodagu. The government has approved a budget of Rs 6.5 crore for setting up a food craft institute at Pushpagiri, which will operate in a few months.
Of the Rs 148 crore allocated to tourism in the budget, Rs 5.61 crore has been approved for eco-tourism projects, Rs 95 crore under viability group fund for development of tourism circuits, Rs 22 crore for development of various tourism schemes, Rs 4 crore for festivals, Rs 10 crore for promotional activities, Rs 4 crore for tourism education. (Five colleges will offer Integrated Bachelors and Masters degree and 80 lakhs will be allotted for each college).
Power will be decentralised and increased power will be given to the Deputy Commissioners, said Mr Vittalamurthy.