With Christmas season ringing in followed by New Year’s, the district administration has planned to make it memorable for the tourists with ‘Tourist Fest’ titled ‘A December to remember’, a first of its kind programme.

The tourist fest, with an array of competitions starting from December 20 going up to the first week of January, has been planned in the city. It will be a step towards making the city a known tourist hub by attracting tourists throughout the year even before and after Dasara. Though Dasara is considered as the prime season for tourism industry, the district administration is planning to host tourism festivals on different occasions to boost the exclusive industry.

As a prelude to this, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha on Tuesday addressed a meeting of different stakeholders especially hoteliers, travel agents, representatives of churches and the officers from tourism, Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA), Kannada and Culture departments, among others, at her office.

It was decided to organise various competitions like carol singing, greeting card making contest for students, cycling, marathon and cake making.

The deputy commissioner emphasised on making it a memorable visit (for tourists) introducing tourists not just to the popular places but also various other attractions like shopping festivals. Mysore Silk, the USP of the city should be made available in discount rates, besides offering several other distinct products at affordable rates.

 Even hotels and other tourism based agencies should offer discounts. The facilities offered during the season will be announced on the website of  the district administration. 

President of Mysore Hotel Owners Association M Rajendra welcomed the initiative of the district administration. He also offered to organise the cake festival at Rajendra Kala Mandira a convention hall owned by himself.

Shikha informed that she has also held talks with Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to ply additional 200 buses between Mysore and Bangalore to cater to the New Year revellers. In addition to this, KSRTC will be running direct Volvo  buses from various parts of Bangalore to the city.

A representative from Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) said they will be offering a gold coin with every saree purchased to mark the season. The representatives of various churches promised to provide a list of  programmes planned during Christmas for the benefit of tourists and public.