Coastal tourism hurdles must be resolved through legal means: DK Shivakumar

Coastal tourism hurdles must be resolved through legal means: DK Shivakumar

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 10, 2026: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said that the issues hindering coastal tourism must be addressed through lawful solutions and stressed the need to frame a new, independent tourism policy for the coastal region.

Inaugurating the Coastal Karnataka Tourism Conclave at a private hotel in Attavar, Mangaluru, he said directions have been issued to prepare an action plan involving the district commissioners of the three coastal districts, senior officials, elected representatives and stakeholders from the tourism sector.

Describing the coastal region as a land of beauty, knowledge and wealth, Shivakumar said it was difficult to understand why the region remains backward despite its immense potential. “If we look at the nearly 300-km-long coastline, including Kodagu, the elders of this region have contributed to the nation’s banking system, discipline and educational traditions. This region is an education hub, producing human resources through medical, engineering and PU education. Such a system is not seen in any other district of the State,” he said.

Expressing concern over people migrating to other States and abroad for jobs and opportunities, he said the natural resources and beaches here are comparable to Goa. “Yet, somewhere we have faltered. To correct these mistakes and attract investors, a new, separate tourism policy is essential, and discussions on this will begin from Mangaluru itself,” he added.

Speaker U.T. Khader said the coastal districts play a crucial role in Karnataka’s development and urged that tourism be treated as an industry. “Just as land is acquired and infrastructure provided for industries through KIADB, if the Tourism Department acquires land for beach and river tourism, investors will be encouraged to invest here. The Tourism and Industries departments must jointly take a comprehensive decision in this regard,” he said.

MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and MLA Sunil Kumar also spoke on the occasion. Tourism Department Secretary K.V. Tilokchandra, in his introductory address, said the three coastal districts need to be developed as multi-product tourism destinations.

District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Udupi district in-charge Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Fisheries Minister Mankal Vaidya, MPs Captain Brijesh Chowta and Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs Vedavyas Kamath, Rajesh Naik, Yashpal Suvarna, Suresh Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Kiran Kodgi, Satish Sail, Ivan D’Souza and Rajegowda, MESCOM Chairman Harish Kumar, and chairpersons of various corporations and boards including M.A. Gaffoor and Charlotte Pinto, among others, were present.

Tourism Commissioner Akram Pasha welcomed the gathering, while Manjula Shetty compered the programme.