Tag Archives: Anita Bhaskar

Karnataka’s Kodagu district records over 95 lakh tourists in last two years

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

More than 95 lakh tourists visited the hilly district of Kodagu during the last two and a half years.

According to information provided by officials of the Tourism Department at a recent meeting of the Kodagu District Tourism Development Committee, the district had recorded 43.69 lakh tourists in 2023 and 45.72 lakh in 2024.

Sharing these numbers, Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of Tourism, Madikeri, said that Kodagu accounted for 23 out of the 778 tourist destinations identified under the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-26.

The tourist destinations in Kodagu included Raja Seat, Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Mandalpatti, Harangi Reservoir, Mallalli Falls, Iruppu Falls, Dubare, Chikkahole, General Thimmayya Museum, and Nagarhole National Park among others.

A request had been made to shift the Talacauvery-Bhagamandala temples from the list of tourist sites to the list of spiritual destinations, the official said.

A total of 2,300 homestays in Kodagu district had been registered online and certified. This is in addition to the 150 hotels and resorts operational in the district, out of which 53 are officially registered on the Tourism Department’s portal.

Mandalpatti

The scenic peaks of Mandalpatti have been selected for development through Public Private Partnership (PPP) under the One District One Destination scheme.

The Galibeedu Gram Panchayat had approved the infrastructure development at Mandalpatti with an allocation of ₹50 lakh. However, as Mandalpatti falls under the Forest Department, cooperation of the Department has been sought for the repair of roads and other related works, the official said.

Referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s announcement on development of water sports and adventure tourism in his Budget speech of 2024-25 , the official said that Harangi reservoir will be open for such activities under Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), while rafting licenses had been granted for Dubare in Kushalnagar and Barpuhole in Ponnampet.

Ms. Bhaskar said that the Tourism Department had sought approval from the Lake Development Authority to float tenders for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, jet skiing, and water zorbing at Honnamana Kere, a tourist destination in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district, which already has attractions like hills and caves.

Children’s mini train

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu Venkat Raja, who presided over the meeting, said steps will be taken to start a children’s mini train at Raja Seat after receiving a report from the engineers of South Western Railways.

He said that engineers from the Railways had already inspected the site and gathered details with regard to the proposal to start a children’s mini train.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / July 31st, 2025

All homestays in Kodagu district should be mandatorily registered: DC

Business & Economy, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , , , ,

There are around 3,500 homestays in Kodagu district. Of them, 2,269 have got registered so far, says Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, Kodagu.

The Kodagu district administration has directed owners of homestays in the district to mandatorily register themselves with the Tourism Department.

Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu Venkat Raja, who convened a meeting of representatives of hotels, resorts, homestays, and travel agencies in Madikeri recently to discuss the measures to ensure the safety of tourists, said the process of registering the homestays had been simplified.

Given the simplified process of registration, verification and certification is completed within a short period, he said.

Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, Kodagu, said there were around 3,500 homestays in Kodagu district. Of them, 2,269 have got registered so far.

Meanwhile, Mr. Venkat Raja said the details of all the registered homestays should be made available online for easy access. The district administration aims to register all the homestays in the district and even facilitate online registration by paying a fee of ₹500, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner warned of strict legal action against unregistered homestays if any illegal activity or untoward incidents occur on their premises. He said the homestay owners in remote or forest areas would be held accountable for incidents involving their guests if they had not obtained prior approval from the police or forest departments.

Security

While issuing directions for the installation of CCTV cameras, posting of home guards or security personnel, and ensuring adequate lighting and illumination at night for the safety of the guests at all hotels, resorts, and homestays, Mr. Venkat Raja also directed the executive officers of taluk panchayats and tahsildars to hold regular meetings to ensure that these tourist facilities are complied with the government directives before issuing them trade licenses.

He also emphasised the need for heightening security measures in border areas of the district like Chelavara, Iruppu, and Dubare. The district administration has also emphasised the need to prioritise the safety of women and children at their facilities and tourist destinations.

The authorities said the tourists can contact the district police helpline at 94808-04900 or the District Disaster Management unit at 08272-221077 in case of emergencies.

The district administration has also shared the circular dated March 10, 2025, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, on safety measures to be enforced for the safety of tourists.

Among other things, the circular pointed out that prior approval from the police must be obtained before taking tourists to remote or isolated areas, and tourists should be made aware of local culture, safety risks, and legal aspects. Only registered transport services for taxis and ride-share apps should be used.

The safety protocols for tourists include that they avoid displaying expensive jewellery or large amounts of cash, use digital payment methods (UPI, cards) instead of carrying large amounts of cash, avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transaction, use a VPN for secure Internet access, and exercise caution in remote areas, forests, and near water bodies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 14th, 2025

Karnataka’s Kodagu district ranks 7th in global tourist searches

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , , ,

In 2023, the district claimed the 3rd spot among the most searched tourist destinations by Indians, with Goa securing 2nd place and Kashmir at 6th.

Karnataka's Kodagu district ranks 7th in global tourist searches
Waterfalls in Kodagu.

Kodagu: 

Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes, Kodagu district in Karnataka continues to enchant tourists globally, securing the 7th position among the world’s top 10 tourist destinations.

The recognition comes as a testament to the district’s breathtaking natural beauty and popular attractions, making it a sought-after destination for millions.

Kodagu’s captivating scenery, including verdant hills adorned with lush green forests and glistening streams, transforms into a winter wonderland during the cold and rainy seasons, drawing visitors from far and wide.

In 2023, the district claimed the 3rd spot among the most searched tourist destinations by Indians, with Goa securing 2nd place and Kashmir at 6th.

Home to over 18 prominent tourist spots, such as Madikeri Rajaseet, Abbifalls, Cauvery Nisarga Dhama, Dubare elephant Camp, Abbifalls, and Irpufalls, Kodagu witnesses a substantial influx of tourists, with more than 1 lakh visitors on weekends and 30 thousand on weekdays.

The district boasts over 4 thousand homestays and 1000 resorts, all bustling with activity during the year-end.

Nagendra Prasad, President of the Hotel and Resort Owners Association, noted that the surge in tourists during the year-end festivities emphasizes the district’s growing popularity.

The 7th global ranking positions Kodagu alongside renowned destinations like Goa, Bali, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar, Italy, and Switzerland.

Lush greenery, waterfalls

The lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and meandering rivers of Kodagu leave an indelible mark on visitors, contributing to its rising fame.

The Tourism Department of Kodagu acknowledges the significance of Rajaseeti in Madikeri, the nature reserve, and Dubare as prime attractions. Plans are underway to develop user-friendly websites for tourists, enhancing accessibility to information about these sites.

Speaking to Siasat.com Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, expressed joy at Kodagu consistently captivating the world’s attention in terms of tourism.

The surge in Google searches for Kodagu’s tourist destinations reflects the district’s universal appeal and marks a significant milestone in its tourism development.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by Diganth Kengeri / December 15th, 2023