Karnataka Tourism Society, in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, successfully concluded the Explore Kalyan Karnataka (North Karnataka) Knowledge Sharing Workshop & B2B Meeting at the Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse by IHG.
The initiative aimed to spotlight the tourism potential of the Kalyan Karnataka region by fostering awareness, collaboration, and trade engagement among stakeholders. The region — comprising Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari — is known for its blend of heritage, spirituality, crafts, and natural landscapes that remain relatively untapped in mainstream tourism circuits.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department; Sandhya Haridas, Director, India Tourism – Bengaluru; Syama Raju, President, KTS; S. Mahalingiaha, Vice President, KTS; and Jagadeesh, Secretary, KTS, along with KTS office bearers and key stakeholders.
Presentations and showcases during the workshop highlighted:
- Heritage Sites: Bidar Fort, Bahmani Tombs, Kalaburagi Fort, and Vijayanagara-era heritage landscapes around Hampi.
- Spiritual & Cultural Landmarks: Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple, and Sharan Basaveshwara Temple.
- Crafts & Traditions: A live demonstration of Bidriware, renowned for its intricate silver inlay work.
- Nature & Wildlife: Blackbuck sightings in Bidar and eco-tourism potential across Ballari and Koppal.
The program featured destination presentations, seller showcases, B2B meetings, and networking sessions with over 150 buyers and 20+ sellers from across Karnataka. Leading tourism and hospitality stakeholders from the Kalyan Karnataka belt and Hampi region participated in the engagement.
Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department, said, “The Kalyan Karnataka region, with its rich heritage and layered history, deserves greater visibility in India’s tourism landscape. Recognizing this, the Government has initiated several programs under the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2024–29, focusing on destination development, heritage conservation, and community participation. These efforts will enhance awareness of the region, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and create meaningful livelihood opportunities for local communities — outcomes that will ensure balanced regional growth.”
Syama Raju, President – Karnataka Tourism Society, said, “Kalyan Karnataka is a region of immense potential. By bringing together stakeholders under one platform, we are not only promoting destinations but also empowering local communities through tourism. The enthusiastic participation of buyers and stakeholders reinforces our vision to position the region as a vibrant tourism hub. We expect this engagement to translate into stronger trade interest, with tour operators including Kalyan Karnataka in their itineraries, thereby boosting brand positioning and expanding tourism circuits across Karnataka. This initiative reflects our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth, and we foresee balanced regional development as more circuits are diversified, creating livelihood opportunities and strengthening Karnataka’s tourism narrative.”
D. Venkatesan, Regional Director – India Tourism, South, said, “The Ministry of Tourism is proud to support initiatives that highlight lesser-known circuits like Kalyan Karnataka. This region, with its forts, temples, crafts, and living traditions, represents the diversity of India’s tourism offering. By engaging the travel trade through workshops and B2B meetings, we are ensuring that destinations such as Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Ballari find their rightful place in itineraries and promotions. Such initiatives align with the Dekho Apna Desh campaign, encourage domestic travelers to explore hidden gems, and generate livelihood opportunities for artisans and local communities. They also strengthen stakeholder collaboration and contribute to the long-term goal of balanced regional development, ensuring that Kalyan Karnataka emerges as a vibrant hub of heritage, culture, and sustainable tourism.”
The Karnataka Tourism Society expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism development across the state.
