Bengaluru, March 2026: The Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) is set to host its next series of Destination Promotion B2B Roadshows in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad from 9th to 11th March 2026, organized in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), and Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd. (JLR), with the initiative aimed at deepening regional partnerships, catalyzing domestic inbound travel, and further strengthening Karnataka’s tourism footprint across South India.

A total of 45 stakeholders from Karnataka will actively participate in the B2B sessions, engaging with travel trade counterparts in each city. The roadshows will feature destination presentations, promotional video screenings, and interactive sessions showcasing Karnataka’s diverse tourism circuits—from heritage towns and hill stations to wildlife sanctuaries, eco-tourism experiences, and adventure tourism offerings.

Building on the momentum from the recently concluded Central India B2B Roadshow Series across Indore, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, and Pune—which attracted 700 buyers and 32 stakeholders—this success follows the Southern India Roadshows that engaged over 500 buyers and 45 stakeholders. The upcoming Andhra Pradesh & Telangana series is expected to further consolidate Karnataka’s position as a leading tourism destination in the domestic market.

Mr. K. Syama Raju, President of Karnataka Tourism Society, said:
“Karnataka continues to offer an extraordinary year-round tourism experience, with globally recognized attractions such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, pristine beaches, lush forests, and vibrant wildlife. These roadshows are a strategic step to strengthen Karnataka’s visibility among the travel trade in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while fostering new partnerships and unlocking fresh opportunities for domestic tourism growth.”

Mr. D. Venkatesan, Regional Director (South), Indiatourism Chennai, added:
“I had the privilege of attending the South India series of roadshows and was truly taken aback by the overwhelming response it received. Domestic tourism remains the backbone of India’s tourism economy, and initiatives like these B2B roadshows are vital to enhancing inter-state tourism cooperation under the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign. Karnataka’s diverse portfolio of tourism products makes it one of the most dynamic states for both leisure and business travel, and these events provide an excellent platform for stakeholders to reconnect with the travel trade and engage meaningfully with prospective tourists.”

Looking ahead, KTS plans to expand its outreach through programs such as Discover Bidar FAM Tour, Explore Kalyana Karnataka, and upcoming roadshows in key cities of Gujarat in August 2026. Additionally, Discover Chikkamagalur, a standalone destination promotion event, will highlight the region’s unique offerings and further strengthen Karnataka’s national tourism footprint.

Warm Regards,

H. Jagadeesh

Secretary

Bengaluru, February 19, 2026: The Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, successfully hosted CONNECT – 2026 Bengaluru, a premier platform designed to foster dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and generate actionable ideas for advancing Karnataka’s tourism and hospitality sector.

CONNECT 2026 was organised as an interactive session with travel, tourism, and hospitality stakeholders from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru South (Ramanagara), Kolar, Chikkaballapura, and Tumakuru districts. The program also included a felicitation segment recognising contributors to the success of the Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE 2025), whose efforts elevated Karnataka’s visibility on the global tourism stage.

The event was graced by the presence of:

Shri. H.K. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs & Legislation, and Tourism

Shri. K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary to the Tourism Department, Govt. of Karnataka

Shri. Prashant Kumar Mishra, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

Shri. Prashant Shankhinamath, IFS, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd.

Alongside government leaders, KTS office bearers and stakeholders from across the tourism and hospitality sector of the participating districts were present, underscoring the collaborative spirit of CONNECT.

Mr. K. Syama Raju, President of KTS in his welcome address said, “CONNECT is about building bridges—between destinations and communities, between government and industry, and between tradition and innovation. Our collective mission is to showcase Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to the world, while creating opportunities that empower local communities and strengthen the tourism ecosystem.”

Shri. K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary to the Tourism Department, Govt. of Karnataka addressing the gathering said, “Karnataka offers immense opportunities for investors and stakeholders across eco-tourism, heritage conservation, adventure tourism, and hospitality infrastructure. Through our Tourism Policy 2024–29, we are committed to creating a robust ecosystem that balances growth with sustainability, while ensuring community participation and global visibility for Karnataka as ‘One State, Many Worlds’. The policy is anchored on nine strategic pillars—ranging from infrastructure development and skill training to sustainable tourism and digital initiatives. We have identified 25 tourism themes and 44 priority projects, backed by subsidies, concessions, and incentives to encourage private participation. Our goal is to attract over ₹7,800 crore in direct investments, create 1.5 lakh jobs, and showcase Karnataka in at least 50 global tourism events. By strengthening PPP models and institutional mechanisms, we aim to transform Karnataka into one of the top three states for domestic tourism and among the top five for foreign tourist visits by 2030.”

Mr. S. Mahalingaiah, Vice President of KTS said, “Over the past year, KTS has worked tirelessly to strengthen Karnataka’s visibility through B2B roadshows across Coimbatore, Cochin, Madurai, Salem, Indore, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik, and Pune. These initiatives connected over 1,200 buyers with 70+ stakeholders, creating new linkages across regions. Equally significant was the success of KITE 2025, organised in February 2025, which brought together 130 exhibitors, 100 international buyers, 250 domestic buyers, and extensive coverage by international and national media. At CONNECT 2026, we were pleased to felicitate the exhibitors, members, and officials whose tireless contributions made KITE 2025 a landmark event. Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding outreach through programs like Discover Bidar, Explore Kalyana Karnataka, and upcoming roadshows in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat. These efforts will ensure Karnataka’s tourism sector continues to grow inclusively and sustainably.”

Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Shri H.K. Patil, while delivering the keynote address said, “Karnataka as a beautiful destination has much to offer. The recent discovery of the Lakundi gold treasure reminds us that Lakkundi was once a major economic and cultural center under the Kalyana Chalukyas, renowned for its 150 temples and inscriptions. Many such places across Karnataka stand as living proof of the state’s rich heritage. For the inclusive development of tourism, all stakeholders must join hands. While the Government can initiate and facilitate a few key measures, it is through the collective strength and creativity of stakeholders that we can multiply these efforts manifold. That is why we are pushing forward the PPP model—so that private enterprise, community participation, and government support can converge to unlock Karnataka’s full tourism potential.”

CONNECT – 2026 Bengaluru concluded with a call to action: to build bridges, strengthen networks, and showcase Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to the world. The felicitation program for KITE 2025 contributors stood as a symbolic gesture of partnership between government and industry, reinforcing the shared commitment to elevate Karnataka’s tourism on the global stage.