State offers tax rebate to neighbours

Inaugurating the Mangalore Association of Travel Agents (MATA) at the Eden Club here, Gowda said the State can boost the tourism industry through tax rebates. 

“Mangalore has the potential to be a major tourist destination. Travel agents in Mangalore should take initiative to give shape to a tourism ciruit including Kodagu and Malnad regions. The City can also be developed into a medical tourism destination as it is the first city in India in terms of number of medical colleges,” Gowda said.

The tourism sector in the region can also be developed, if local cultural and traditional events were emphawsised. Mega events should be organised annually to attract tourists to the region, he suggested.

Travel agents should send representatives to important global tourism festivals including World Travel Mart and Berlin Fest to network the tourism potential of Karnataka. “Information on our land, culture, tradition and richness should be passed on to foreign nations through representation.”

Tourism Department Deputy Director Shivalingappa released the souvenir titled ‘Coastal Traveller’ on the occasion. Jungle Lodges and Resorts Managing Director N D Tiwari, MATA President Roshan Pinto and PRO Louis Pinto were present.