Where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged citizens to proudly promote the state’s tourism.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, inaugurated the second edition of KITE 2025 by lighting the traditional lamp at a colorful ceremony held at Taj West End, Bengaluru. This marked the return of a significant tourism event for the state. The ceremony was attended by Mr. H.K. Patil, Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation, and Tourism, Government of Karnataka; Mr. K. H. Muniyappa, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr. N.S.Boseraju, Minor Irrigation Department, Mr. Rizwan Ahmed, MLA of Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency; Mr. M. Srinivas, Chairman of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation; Mr. K. Shyama Raju, President of Karnataka Tourism Society; Mrs. Salma K. Fahim, IAS, Principal Secretary; and Dr. Rajendra K.V., IAS, Director of the Department of Tourism and Managing Director of KSTDC, Government of Karnataka.
During his address, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the crucial role of Karnataka’s residents in acting as tourism ambassadors, encouraging them to warmly welcome visitors and showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering private sector investments and simplifying business processes within the tourism industry.
Highlighting the government’s strategic initiatives, he announced a substantial budget allocation for the sector, stating, “Over the past two years, we have allocated ₹440 crore to tourism. Furthermore, the newly launched Tourism Policy 2025–2029, with a budget of ₹1,350 crore, will drive innovation and responsible tourism. We recognize the sector’s immense potential in contributing to Karnataka’s economic progress and are taking decisive steps to establish the state as a premier travel destination.”
Mr. H.K. Patil, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation, and Tourism, Karnataka, spoke enthusiastically about the state’s dedication to improving connectivity and infrastructure, ensuring seamless travel experiences for visitors. He emphasized, “Accessibility is key for any destination to thrive. Karnataka is leading in enhancing connectivity to both popular attractions and hidden gems. Under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s leadership, we have been working tirelessly to improve essential amenities across the state. The success of the Shakti Scheme demonstrates our commitment to high-quality infrastructure and facilities. We are dedicated to strengthening the tourism ecosystem and making Karnataka a benchmark for responsible and inclusive tourism.”
Mr. Rizwan Ahmed, MLA of Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Karnataka is a land of endless possibilities that will captivate visitors globally.. With the success of KITE 2025, the state is poised for unprecedented tourism growth.”
Ms. Salma K. Fahim, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Karnataka Tourism Department, outlined ambitious future goals, stating, “Our target is to attract 480 million domestic tourists and 2 million international visitors by 2029.” Tourism in Karnataka experienced significant growth in 2024, with approximately 300 million domestic tourists and 485,000 international visitors.
Ms. Fahim further elaborated on Karnataka’s potential, affirming that tourism plays a crucial role in the state’s economy by generating employment and driving economic growth. “KITE 2025 represents a landmark step in Karnataka’s journey towards becoming a premier global travel destination,” she stated.
Dr. Rajendra K.V., IAS, Director of the Department of Tourism and Managing Director of KSTDC, underscored the expo’s significance, describing it as a pivotal event that connects the global travel industry with Karnataka’s tourism sector. “KITE 2025 is a platform for building relationships, fostering partnerships, and creating growth opportunities that will elevate Karnataka’s standing as a world-class travel destination,” he remarked.
Several Members of Parliament and State Assembly, along with key officials from the Karnataka Tourism Department, Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), and over 500 hosted international and domestic buyers and travel media professionals, attended the event. Mr. K. Shyama Raju, President of Karnataka Tourism Society, and a representative from FHRAI delivered the vote of thanks.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Tourism Policy 2025–2029 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He called upon investors, tour operators, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals to collaborate in making Karnataka a top global tourism destination.
Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with the Karnataka Tourism Society, KITE 2025 serves as a premier platform for the tourism and hospitality industries, bringing together stakeholders to forge new business opportunities and promote Karnataka’s unique attractions. The expo showcases the state’s diverse tourism offerings, including heritage sites, cultural experiences, adventure activities, wellness retreats, and nature-based destinations.
KITE 2025 features an array of attractions and networking opportunities, including: B2B networking sessions with over 400 hosted buyers from India and abroad, and 150 stakeholders from Karnataka, Thematic pavilions showcasing Karnataka’s iconic destinations, emerging tourism circuits, and sustainable tourism initiatives, and Cultural performances celebrating Karnataka’s vibrant arts, music, and cuisine.
The expo has received strong support from leading national and state-level trade and hospitality associations, such as the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), India Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), BCIC, FKCCI, Karnataka Tourism Forum, Enterprising Agents Association of India (ETAA), SKAL, South India Hotel and Restaurant Association (SIHRA), and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), among others. Tourism India is the official Travel Media Partner for the second edition of KITE 2025.
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