Karnataka scored big time in tourism in 2011 with the state receiving about 8.46 crore tourists, a 70% rise in number of international tourists.

Considering this achievement, the budget earmarked Rs 150 crore for development of roads relevant for tourism activities.

The state also announced plans to provide land for tourism projects to be developed on public-private partnership basis.This year, a total outlay of Rs 247 crore has been provided for tourism sector.

Last year, the amount was Rs 245 crore.

“The state has come out with the enactment of Karnataka Tourism Trade Act which will ensure standardisation of the sector,” said TS Sampath Kumar, secretary general, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Two institutes of hotel management will be set up in Bellary and Mangalore, alongside a Food Craft Institute in Belur.

Also, private and government educational institutions will be encouraged to offer short-term vocational courses in hospitality and tourism skill development.

L Krishnan, chairman, CII Karnataka, lauded the government’s efforts to operationalise airports in Shimoga and Gulbarga this fiscal. “The expansion plan for Hubli and Belgaum airports is welcome,” he said, adding that Rs445 crore provided to take up rail lines between Kadur and Chickmagalur was equally laudable.

K Shiva Shanmugham, senior vice-president, FKCCI, said:“The total allocation made by the state for the tourism sector is more or less the same as last year. The CM seems to have missed the bus.”