<p>Bengaluru: Foreign tourist footfall in Karnataka is yet to reach pre-Covid levels though the number has risen in the last two years. </p>.<p>Just 4.85 lakh foreigners visited the state's tourist destinations in 2024. In contrast, more foreign tourists came to Karnataka in each of the three years before Covid, according to Tourism Department data analysed by <em>DH.</em> </p>.<p>One exception is Koppal district, which has seen a massive uptick in the arrival of foreign tourists in the last six years. </p>.7 islands in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada identified for eco-tourism boost.<p>The district, which hit the headlines following the gang rape of an Israeli tourist last week, had welcomed just 760 foreign visitors in 2018, but the figure topped 50,000 in 2024. This staggering jump in numbers has catapulted it to the third position among Karnataka districts for foreign visitors. Only Mysuru (1.37 lakh) and Udupi (89,849) were ahead. Even Bengaluru Urban (45,782) welcomed fewer foreign tourists than Koppal. </p>.<p>Proximity to Unesco World Heritage site Hampi could be one of the reasons for Koppal witnessing a high number of foreign tourists.</p>.<p>With the tagline of 'One state, many worlds', Karnataka is known for the diversity of its tourism. It offers natural beauty, heritage and adventure. </p>.<p>However, the state has struggled to attract foreign tourists. It is not among the top 10 Indian states for foreigners. </p>.<p>The Tourism Department cites a lack of infrastructure and accessibility in and around tourist destinations, including the wide gap in the demand and availability of resorts and homestays in the state. </p>.<p>On the positive note, government efforts to attract tourists to the hidden gems of Kalyana Karnataka, especially Koppal, seem to be paying off. </p>.<p>A senior official in the Tourism Department explained that the spike in foreign tourist arrival in Koppal was the result of better data collection due to the development of authorised homestays. </p>.<p>In the past, unauthorised homestays mushroomed in the Virupapura Gaddi and Anegundi regions of Koppal, making data collection difficult, he noted. </p>.<p>"After the demolition of unauthorised homestays and resorts a few years ago, many authorised tourism and hospitality structures have mushroomed in the Hampi area and in Koppal’s Anegundi, Marlanahalli and Basapur areas. This has helped us collate data rigorously," the official told <em>DH,</em> speaking on condition of anonymity. </p>.<p>Foreign tourists visiting Hampi usually stay in Anegundi, Anjanadri, Basapur and Sanapur areas of Koppal. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: Foreign tourist footfall in Karnataka is yet to reach pre-Covid levels though the number has risen in the last two years. </p>.<p>Just 4.85 lakh foreigners visited the state's tourist destinations in 2024. In contrast, more foreign tourists came to Karnataka in each of the three years before Covid, according to Tourism Department data analysed by <em>DH.</em> </p>.<p>One exception is Koppal district, which has seen a massive uptick in the arrival of foreign tourists in the last six years. </p>.7 islands in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada identified for eco-tourism boost.<p>The district, which hit the headlines following the gang rape of an Israeli tourist last week, had welcomed just 760 foreign visitors in 2018, but the figure topped 50,000 in 2024. This staggering jump in numbers has catapulted it to the third position among Karnataka districts for foreign visitors. Only Mysuru (1.37 lakh) and Udupi (89,849) were ahead. Even Bengaluru Urban (45,782) welcomed fewer foreign tourists than Koppal. </p>.<p>Proximity to Unesco World Heritage site Hampi could be one of the reasons for Koppal witnessing a high number of foreign tourists.</p>.<p>With the tagline of 'One state, many worlds', Karnataka is known for the diversity of its tourism. It offers natural beauty, heritage and adventure. </p>.<p>However, the state has struggled to attract foreign tourists. It is not among the top 10 Indian states for foreigners. </p>.<p>The Tourism Department cites a lack of infrastructure and accessibility in and around tourist destinations, including the wide gap in the demand and availability of resorts and homestays in the state. </p>.<p>On the positive note, government efforts to attract tourists to the hidden gems of Kalyana Karnataka, especially Koppal, seem to be paying off. </p>.<p>A senior official in the Tourism Department explained that the spike in foreign tourist arrival in Koppal was the result of better data collection due to the development of authorised homestays. </p>.<p>In the past, unauthorised homestays mushroomed in the Virupapura Gaddi and Anegundi regions of Koppal, making data collection difficult, he noted. </p>.<p>"After the demolition of unauthorised homestays and resorts a few years ago, many authorised tourism and hospitality structures have mushroomed in the Hampi area and in Koppal’s Anegundi, Marlanahalli and Basapur areas. This has helped us collate data rigorously," the official told <em>DH,</em> speaking on condition of anonymity. </p>.<p>Foreign tourists visiting Hampi usually stay in Anegundi, Anjanadri, Basapur and Sanapur areas of Koppal. </p>