Tourism dept to pitch Karwar as next best destination

There is a need to get tourists from Goa to other coastal destinations also. With this in mind, the Department of Tourism has chosen Karwar and is preparing an action plan, said Mohamed Farouk, Director.

He said photographers, writers, bloggers, opinion writers and promoters are being invited to promote Karwar as the next preferred destination. “We are focusing on leisure tourists, who comprise 30% of the market, apart from international tourists. We are keen on promoting off-beat destinations like Karwar, St Mary’s Island, Kudremukh and Kalasa in Chikmagalur,” he said.

Farouk was speaking to DH on the sidelines of the inauguration of the three-day long photo exhibition - “The Great Outdoors-2018”, at Chitrakala Parishath, organised by Essen Communications, to celebrate the Year of Adventure Tourism.

An array of 100 photographs on aero sports, terrestrial sports, aqua sports and off-beat adventures are on display. There is also a section on Karnataka, which showcases the adventure potential of the state.

Farouk said that it was the first time the ministry has decided to promote a destination. Work will begin from January, to get domestic tourists during summer holiday months (March- June) and international tourists from October to December.

“We want to attract families, children, adventure lovers and niche tourists. We have learnt that very few people visit Karwar, despite its proximity to Goa. Guests to Goa visit Karwar only for day trips. We want people to stay in Karwar. We will be partnering with Karnataka Tourism, Jungle Lodges and Resorts and private stakeholders also. The ministry will also be working on Kalasa to promote eco, tribal and rural tourism,” he said.

Farouk also used the platform to invite photographers to share their photographs with the ministry which can be used to promote destinations and even use them in making postcards.