George says Hampi, Mysuru, Lakkundi will be developed as global tourism destinations

Published 7 July 2026 · india

The State government has drawn up an ambitious plan to transform Hampi, Mysuru and Lakkundi into world-class tourism destinations under the Centre’s Global Destination Development

The State government has drawn up an ambitious plan to transform Hampi, Mysuru and Lakkundi into world-class tourism destinations under the Centre’s Global Destination Development initiative, with Tourism Minister K.J. George stressing the need for stronger private sector participation and improved air and rail connectivity to unlock the State’s tourism potential. Addressing a State-level consultation workshop on the Global Destination Development project organised jointly by the district administration and the Department of Tourism at a heritage resort near Hampi on Tuesday, Mr. George said that the State has nominated the three heritage destinations for inclusion under the Centre’s programme to develop 50 global tourist destinations across the country. He said that Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will receive top priority and be developed as one of India’s premier tourism destinations.

Mysuru, already recognised as the State’s cultural capital, will be further strengthened with modern tourism infrastructure, while Lakkundi, renowned for its Kalyana Chalukya heritage and ongoing archaeological excavations, will be developed as a major heritage tourism destination, he added. “To streamline development of heritage sites such as Hampi, the State government is in discussions with the Centre to establish a Destination Management Organisation (DMO) to coordinate among the district administration, the State Archaeology Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), thereby eliminating administrative delays and providing a single interface for investors and tourists,” he said. George said that the State government will also focus on improving connectivity by facilitating the expansion of the runway at the Jindal Airport near Ballari-Hosapete and by requesting the Ministry of Railways to increase train services connecting major Indian cities with tourism destinations in north and coastal Karnataka.

Emphasising the importance of public-private partnerships, the Minister said that the State has immense tourism potential but, achieving transformational growth will require active participation from private investors alongside government agencies such as the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Jungle Lodges and Resorts. MLA H.R. Gaviyappa said that a proposal has been submitted to develop a 15.4-km heritage circuit covering more than 1,200 monuments in Hampi to enable visitors to experience the historic city comprehensively. Plans are also under consideration for scientific documentation and digital preservation of Hampi’s monuments in collaboration with the ASI, he said. “Hampi and Ballari railway stations are being redeveloped as heritage stations, with Hampi station being designed in the architectural style of the famous Virupaksha Temple. Proposals have also been submitted for an international-standard interpretation centre, an international tourism college and the beautification of the historic Kamalapura Lake by developing a tourism circuit around it,” he said.