Raja seating is one of the main attractions for tourists in Madikeri. |Picture source: File Photo
Kodagu remains one of the state’s top tourist destinations, attracting 4.572 million visitors in 2024 and surpassing its record in 2023, attracting 43.99 billion visitors.
The increase in 20 million visitors underscores the region’s growing appeal, especially as a coffee tourism hub.
Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of Tourism“This seems to be a golden age of tourism, where tourists try to experience the Koda landscape.
Ms. Bascal said in an interaction with reporters that measures are being taken to successfully implement the 2029 Tourism Police and focus on increasing the flow of people and understand the tourism potential of Kodagu.
The position of Madikeri Deputy Director of Tourism has been vacant for many years, and about a year ago, the area was an important tourist destination.
She said that 23 tourist attractions in Kodagu have been identified based on various plans. Measures have been taken to appoint nine guides at various tourist locations. She added that there will be ten more “Pravasi Mitras” for other sites in the coming days.
One area, one destination
Ms Bhaskar said the Mandarapati Hill Station has been determined under the “One Area, One Destination” program and will provide facilities to visitors to the popular ruins, which attracts many adventure lovers.
Kodagu was first included under the Tourism Tour and details will be announced soon.
Measures have also been taken to develop the “Coorg Village” near the seats of Madikeri Raja. The department has joined hands with the Orange Growers Comerative Society in Gonikoppal to popularize kodagu oranges among visitors.
She said that many tourists are visiting Kodagu to explore the beauty of coffee lands as Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja promotes Kodagu’s tourism industry efforts, and one of the reasons for the fall of footsteps is that social media promotes the promotion of “Coorg Tourism”.
Ms Bhaskar said the development of the Monastery Falls, Iruppu Falls and Malatirike Hills in Virajpet has been approved for Rs 1 crore due to the efforts of MLA for Ponnanna.
Ms. Bhaskar urged host families, hotels and cottage owners to post signs on their homes stating that the ban is banned on single-use plastics in hill stations, where multiple steps have been taken to place “free of garbage”. This effort will affect visitors, who will discourage them from building an environmentally friendly tourism industry.
She recommends transportation facilities to some key destinations, including adventure travel locations.
During the interaction, suggestions were made regarding the reintroduction of toy trains in Raja seats, and Pravasi Utsava from Kodagu was also organized to increase the footprint, in addition to limiting the traffic of Raja seats to ensure that there is no inconvenience to locals.
BG Ananthashayana said steps must be taken to combat low-quality wines, chocolates and spices sold to tourists. This will affect the Kodagu brand. HT Anil, chairman of the Kodak Journalists Association, hosted the interaction. The deputy director was tried on this occasion.
publishing – April 4, 2025 07:41 pm ist
