CONNECT 2026 boosts Karnataka tourism roadmap

CONNECT 2026 boosts Karnataka tourism roadmap

CONNECT 2026 boosts Karnataka tourism roadmap

Karnataka’s tourism leadership and industry stakeholders gathered in the state capital this week for CONNECT – 2026 Bengaluru, a high-level engagement platform aimed at strengthening partnerships, refining strategy and accelerating the state’s long-term tourism ambitions.

Organised by the Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, the event brought together representatives from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru South (Ramanagara), Kolar, Chikkaballapura and Tumakuru. The objective was clear: align government vision with private sector capability to drive sustainable, inclusive growth across Karnataka’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem.

At its core, CONNECT – 2026 was structured as an interactive stakeholder dialogue rather than a ceremonial gathering. Discussions centred on investment opportunities, policy implementation, destination development and regional collaboration. The programme also included a felicitation segment recognising contributors to the Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE 2025), acknowledging the collective effort that elevated Karnataka’s profile on the global tourism stage.

Government and industry in the same room

The event drew senior political and administrative leadership, signalling the strategic priority accorded to tourism within Karnataka’s development agenda.

Among those present were Shri H.K. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs & Legislation, and Tourism; Shri K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary to the Tourism Department; Shri Prashant Kumar Mishra, IAS, Managing Director of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.; and Shri Prashant Shankhinamath, IFS, Managing Director of Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd.

Their presence underscored the state’s attempt to position tourism not merely as a leisure sector but as a driver of economic growth, employment generation and heritage preservation.

Alongside them were KTS office bearers, hospitality operators, travel agents, tour planners and regional stakeholders, reflecting a deliberate effort to bridge public and private spheres.

Building bridges across regions

In his welcome address, KTS President Mr K. Syama Raju framed CONNECT as a platform for structural alignment rather than symbolic networking.

“CONNECT is about building bridges—between destinations and communities, between government and industry, and between tradition and innovation,” he said. “Our collective mission is to showcase Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to the world, while creating opportunities that empower local communities and strengthen the tourism ecosystem.”

His remarks pointed to a recurring theme of the day: tourism development must not only attract visitors but also generate equitable benefits for local populations.

Karnataka’s tourism proposition is diverse, spanning UNESCO-listed heritage sites, temple architecture, wildlife reserves, hill stations, coastline, and urban experiences in Bengaluru. Yet the challenge remains integrating these assets into cohesive circuits that encourage longer stays and repeat visits.

A policy-driven growth strategy

Shri K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary to the Tourism Department, used the platform to outline the state’s Tourism Policy 2024–29, which forms the backbone of Karnataka’s medium-term strategy.

The policy is anchored on nine strategic pillars, including infrastructure development, skill training, sustainable tourism practices and digital transformation. It identifies 25 tourism themes and 44 priority projects, supported by subsidies, concessions and incentives designed to encourage private participation.

The ambition is measurable and time-bound. The government aims to attract more than ₹7,800 crore in direct investments, create 1.5 lakh jobs and promote Karnataka in at least 50 global tourism events. By 2030, the state intends to rank among the top three in domestic tourism and within the top five for foreign tourist visits nationally.

Central to this vision is a strengthened public–private partnership (PPP) model. By leveraging private capital and expertise alongside public facilitation, the state seeks to accelerate infrastructure development without compromising sustainability.

Showcasing past success: KITE 2025

A significant segment of CONNECT – 2026 focused on recognising the achievements of KITE 2025, organised in February 2025. The travel expo drew 130 exhibitors, 100 international buyers and 250 domestic buyers, accompanied by substantial national and international media coverage.

Mr S. Mahalingaiah, Vice President of KTS, highlighted the scale of engagement achieved through KTS initiatives over the past year. B2B roadshows conducted in cities including Coimbatore, Cochin, Madurai, Salem, Indore, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik and Pune connected over 1,200 buyers with more than 70 stakeholders.

These outreach efforts have extended Karnataka’s tourism narrative beyond its traditional markets, fostering new inter-regional linkages and expanding trade networks.

Looking ahead, KTS plans to expand promotional initiatives through programmes such as Discover Bidar and Explore Kalyana Karnataka, alongside upcoming roadshows in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat.

The felicitation of KITE 2025 contributors during CONNECT – 2026 symbolised the collaborative framework underpinning Karnataka’s tourism growth strategy.

Heritage as economic capital

Delivering the keynote address, Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri H.K. Patil emphasised Karnataka’s deep historical reservoir as a foundation for future tourism development.

He referred to the recent discovery of the Lakundi gold treasure, noting that Lakkundi was once a major economic and cultural centre under the Kalyana Chalukyas, renowned for its 150 temples and inscriptions. Such sites, he observed, stand as living proof of the state’s civilisational depth.

However, heritage assets alone are insufficient without coordinated development. The Minister reiterated that inclusive tourism growth depends on collective action.

“For the inclusive development of tourism, all stakeholders must join hands,” he said. “While the Government can initiate and facilitate a few key measures, it is through the collective strength and creativity of stakeholders that we can multiply these efforts manifold.”

The push towards PPP frameworks, he added, is intended to align community participation, private enterprise and government facilitation into a unified development model.

Sustainability and community participation

A recurring emphasis throughout CONNECT – 2026 was the balance between growth and sustainability. Eco-tourism, heritage conservation and responsible adventure tourism featured prominently in discussions.

Karnataka’s varied geography — from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot to historical temple towns — requires nuanced planning to prevent over-tourism while maximising economic returns.

Skill development, digital integration and capacity-building at the district level were also identified as priorities. By strengthening local supply chains and workforce training, the state aims to ensure that tourism revenue circulates within communities.

A call to action

CONNECT – 2026 concluded not with a policy announcement but with a call to action. Participants were urged to deepen networks, pursue cross-sector collaboration and align district-level initiatives with state-wide goals.

The event’s structure — part consultation, part recognition — reflected Karnataka’s effort to consolidate momentum rather than reset direction. By combining policy articulation with stakeholder acknowledgement, the state signalled continuity in its tourism development roadmap.

As Karnataka positions itself for accelerated tourism growth over the next decade, CONNECT – 2026 Bengaluru may be viewed as a milestone in aligning ambition with execution — reinforcing the principle that tourism success depends not only on attractions, but on sustained partnership.

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