The ‘Dakshin Bharat Utsav 2024’ event in Bengaluru on June 15 and 16 will address issues like inter-border tax, high road tax, RTO check posts, and circuit tourism connecting important places in South Indian states. Tour operators have been complaining about heavy taxes affecting the travel industry, especially after setbacks like COVID. Karnataka Tourism Department director Ram Prasath Manohar discussed plans for the event.
The event aims to bring together all seven South Indian states to collaborate on investment opportunities in tourism. Each year, a new host state will be chosen through a lottery system at the end of the event. The focus will be on discussing and resolving issues like border taxes, RTO check posts, and other challenges hindering tourism promotion.
Efforts are underway to design circuits linking significant locations in Southern states, including beaches, temples, pilgrimage sites, and other tourist attractions. The event is expected to attract tourist investors, travel agents, tour operators, and representatives from the hotel industry to foster growth in the tourism sector over the next decade.
Ram Prasath emphasized the importance of cultural collaboration among the South Indian states to showcase their unique talents and heritage. The event aims to create a platform for mutual cooperation and cultural exchange, similar to the collaboration seen among the seven sister states in North India.
