With a 10 per cent share in domestic tourism and 837,000 foreign tourist visits last year, Karnataka is the third busiest tourism destination in India. A gateway to south India, the state is now eyeing a key lever to capitalise on its tourism potential.
“We started a unique initiative called Karnataka Centre for Cultural Diplomacy this year,” Thrilok Chandra K.V., Karnataka’s tourism secretary, said at the India Today Tourism Survey & Awards 2026, held on June 14-15 in Goa.
There are close to 30 embassies stationed in Bengaluru, and the aim is to use cultural diplomacy as a strategic tool to strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties and promote inbound tourism by curating immersive experiences. “We have been organising workshops and seminars, particularly on heritage conservation, culinary diplomacy, sustainable tourism and tourism investments; familarisation trips for diplomats, international media and influencers; organising tourism road shows for foreign missions,” said Chandra.
Through this initiative, the state tourism department has hosted bilateral cultural festivals such as the French Week and Japan Month while the Italian embassy is organising an art exhibition in July. “This year, we are hoping to partner with Italy as the partner country because the government of India has also announced the India-Italy year of partnership in the coming year,” Chandra said.
Karnataka’s major draws are heritage experiences in Hampi, Badami-Aihole-Pattadkal and Belur-Halebid, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the 10-day pageantry of the Mysuru Dasara; hill stations such as the coffee-growing districts of Chikamagalur and Kodagu; and the ecotourism trails in the jungles of Bandipur and Nagarahole.
“The latest focus from the tourism perspective has been coastal Karnataka,” said Chandra. “Apart from Mulki and Sasihitlu, which are a growing surfing site, Udupi, Gokarna and Mangaluru are very popular pilgr
Upcoming products include the Sharavathi backwater river cruises, a beach shack policy and an international cruise terminal in Mangaluru. “It’s a welcome sign that more cruises are attending to the port of call at Mangaluru. So, we hope to capitalise on that.” With a coastline of close to 320 km, there are plans to develop six blue flag beaches apart from the existing two. A blue flag beach tag is an internationally recognised eco-label awarded to beaches that meet strict standards.
FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Karnataka is the third busiest tourism destination in India.
- It has been actively engaging with foreign embassies located in Bengaluru to promote inbound tourism.
- Bilateral cultural events include art exhibitions, language and craft showcases, film festivals.
- Karnataka is now focussing on its coastline to give tourism a boost.
- Six blue flag beaches, beach shack policy and an international cruise terminal in Mangaluru, are in the works.
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