Abstract: Tourism in India has been emerging as one of the largest service sectors industries. Therefore it is rightly pointed out that ‘India is a country with many worlds’. Karnataka is no exception from it. Karnataka is also a home to several forts, architectural marvels and is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Other diverse visitor attractions include pilgrim sites, coastal landscape and wildlife and national parks. State offers a variety of tourism products that cater to the demand from different visitor segments, such as, eco-tourism, wellness tourism and adventure tourism. Over the years, Karnataka has emerged as one of the most sought after tourism destinations in the country and also created a space for itself in the international tourism circuit. As of 2013, the State was ranked as the fourth preferred destination among domestic tourists and ranked third with regard to attracting investments in the tourism sector (Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-2020 Department of Tourism Government of Karnataka). In this backdrop, it is rightly stated that Karnataka is "ONE STATE, MANY WORLDS" (Tourism Policy 2009-2014). In this context, tourism is used as an instrument for overall development of state and thus the state government has declared “Tourism as an Industry” since 1988 (Economic Survey of Karnataka 2010-11). Karnataka has been witnessing a tremendous influx of international and domestic tourists that has added to foreign exchange earnings. The tourist flow into the state has continuously been increasing steadily from 8.41 crore in 2011 to 11.82 crore in 2014, which indicates comprehensive increase of 40.54 percent (Economic Survey of Karnataka 2015-16).
Keywords: Homestays, Influx, Lush, Comparative and niche.
Title: MAJOR TOURISM DESTINATIONS AND CHALLENGES OF TOURISM IN KODAGU DISTRICT
Author: Dr. E. THIPPESWAMY
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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