‘Yaduveer as tourism ambassador good for marketing'

The invitation of the state Tourism department to Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile royal family, to be Tourism ambassador for Mysuru region, is expected to evoke a good response from tourists.

“Mysuru carries a host of epithets like ‘Cultural’, ‘Royal’ and ‘Heritage’ city, but its image is on the wane, over the past several years, due to various reasons. If Wadiyar agrees to be the ambassador and if the government succeeds in convincing him to be part of its activities, to promote tourism in the region, especially in Mysuru, it would make a lot of positive difference,” said N K Ananth Ballal, retired senior vice president of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

“Even though all are equal in a democracy, people still have a fascination for royalty.

The Yadu dynasty, of the Wadiyar kings, has a rich legacy of 620 years with 27 heads. Some of them, like Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Tenth Chamaraja Wadiyar, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, are still adored by the people of the region for their pro-people policies and works.

Yaduveer has inherited their legacy and is already popular among the people,” said Suma Rajkumar, a ventriloquist.

Ballal said, the move by the Tourism department has tremendous marketing value.

“The perception of the city and its value will surely go up. It will be a big feather in the cap for the Tourism department. It has to be noted that in Rajasthan, the erstwhile royals are actively involved in tourism activities in places like Udaipur and Jaipur,” he said.

He said, to make the Jamboo Savari more attractive, Wadiyar can follow the elephants, carrying the golden howdah, in his silver chariot.

“Besides, if the Tourism department can convince him, his private durbar during Dasara, can be marketed to tourists. It is a rare thing for tourists. Real princes are rare in the world, with most of the dynasties disintegrating,” he said.

S Rajeshwari, an entrepreneur in JP Nagar, said, besides Mysuru, tourism in Bengaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga and Kolar can also be marketed well, if Wadiyar is made ambassador for Karnataka tourism.”

“It may be recalled that 15 districts, out of the present 30 districts in the state, were under the administration of the Wadiyar. It may also be mentioned that his predecessors were all pro-people rulers,” she said.