Karnataka government’s strong push towards developing tourism and infrastructure in the coastal and Malnad regions of the state, through its Coastal Malnad Tourism Policy 2026, is expected to give a tremendous boost to tourism and infrastructure growth in the region.
The Rs 500 crore policy involves developing nine tourism circuits, developing 12 islands and new projects across key coastal destinations. Temple infrastructure in the region is also expected to get a boost, with land for a Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, grants for prominent temples and a Rs 33 crore bridge at Kateel in the region.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar said that the policy is aimed at encouraging investment in the greenfield tourism sector in the region. Steps would be taken to treat tourism investments as infrastructure projects to provide investors with longer loan repayment tenures.
Tulu was also officially recognised and announced as Karnataka’s second additional administrative language. It is expected that more than Rs 32,000 crore will be invested in the region, including tourism and infrastructure development.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that the state cabinet has approved the policy, though further details of the tourism policy are expected soon. “For the first time in history, we held a Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru and took important decisions on 61 issues. The government’s objective is to implement development projects that directly benefit people in the coastal region. Ensuring benefits reach the people is our foremost priority,” said Parameshwara. He said that special priority will be given to coastal development in the state and the government has prioritised the comprehensive development of the coastal region, with a focus on tourism, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. He added that tourists visiting these regions contribute nearly Rs 2,876 crore annually in foreign exchange earnings.
Under the new initiative, a State Tourism Board will be established under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. Tourism Investment Help Centres and a single-window system will be introduced for the convenience of investors. Measures such as granting industry status to tourism, providing property tax exemptions in tourism investment promotion areas and other incentives will also be taken.
The tourism policy also includes elements such as priority tourism projects, priority tourist circuits, an institutional framework, and the inclusion of a comprehensive coastal tourism plan in the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP). It also includes aspects such as tourism infrastructure and connectivity development, land management within the framework of coastal and environmental regulations, investment and Ease of Doing Business, promotion and training.
Besides tourism, the announcements also focus on ports, shipbuilding, jobs and rural infrastructure in the region, including the Rs 6,925 crore Manki Port and shipbuilding project is expected to create around 44,800 direct and indirect jobs, alongside a new shipbuilding yard at Gangolli and a Fisheries Park at Mulki in the region. Interestingly, out of the total percentage of tourists visiting the state, 45 per cent also visit the coastal and Malnad areas. The new policy aims to develop tourism by developing infrastructure, improving connectivity and generating employment opportunities for the local people.
There are a few priority tourism circuits which have been identified as part of the new policy that include the Blue-Green Circuit, covering the coast to the Western Ghats, Coastal Pilgrimage and Heritage Circuit, Beach and Surf Circuit, Cruise and Backwater Circuit, Coastal and Inland Cuisine Circuit, Coffee and Plantation Circuit, Western Ghats Eco and Adventure Circuit, Monsoon Circuit and Ancient Heritage Circuit.
