State govt. approves separate tourism policy for Coastal, Malnad Karnataka

The Karnataka Cabinet, at its meeting in Mangaluru on Friday, approved a separate Coastal and Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026 with a view to promoting tourism and boosting the economic development of the region.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the policy was aimed at encouraging investment in the greenfield tourism sector in these regions. Steps would be taken to treat tourism investments as infrastructure projects so as to provide investors with longer loan repayment tenures.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, who later addressed the media, said that about 45% of tourists visiting Karnataka travel to these regions, contributing nearly ₹2,876 crore annually in foreign exchange earnings. The policy, therefore, assumes significance in developing tourism in a systematic manner while providing the necessary infrastructure and employment opportunities for local people.