Kodagu tourism website to be launched soon: DC

Madikeri: Kodagu DC Venkat Raja on Monday said a tourism website showcasing the district's renowned temples, sacred sites, hotels, homestays, resorts, reservoirs, waterfalls, and other attractions will be launched soon.He announced this while inaugurating the World Tourism Day programme held at a city hotel, organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, tourism department, and tourism partners.Venkat Raja emphasised the importance of providing information about the district's holy places like Talacauvery and Bhagamandala, as well as tourist attractions such as waterfalls, hotels, and resorts. He stated that the website will be operational by Dec.The DC urged everyone to work together to promote cleanliness and environmental awareness among tourists visiting Kodagu district. He advocated for the development of eco-tourism throughout the district and advised against the use of plastic.Venkat Raja also suggested organising camps to educate visitors on appropriate behaviour at the district's holy and tourist sites.BR Nagendra Prasad, president of the District Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that approximately 1 lakh people visit the district on weekends, necessitating a greater focus on environmental cleanliness. He proposed that local organisations should pay more attention to this matter and that guards should be stationed at holy and tourist sites. Nagendra Prasad revealed that nearly 1.25 lakh people in Kodagu directly and indirectly earn their livelihood from tourism.Anitha Bhaskar, deputy director of the tourism department, stated that Kodagu district receives around 4.7 million tourists annually, creating employment opportunities for thousands of people both directly and indirectly. She mentioned that there are approximately 4,000 homestays in the district, with 2,010 registered online and certified so far. Additionally, about 150 hotels/resorts operate in the district, with 53 hotels/restaurants/resorts registered on the Karnataka tourism department's website and have received their certificates.