Industry stakeholders and government officials come together in Connect-2026 Bengaluru
To deepen collaboration between government, industry and local stakeholders, the Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), an organisation to promote and develop Karnataka, in association with the Department of Tourism, Karnataka, successfully hosted Connect-2026 Bengaluru, a platform aimed at dialogue, partnership building and generating actionable ideas for the growth of Karnataka’s tourism and hospitality sector.
In a press statement, KTS says that Connect-2026 was organised as an interactive session with travel, tourism and hospitality stakeholders from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru South which includes Ramanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapura and Tumakuru districts.
It adds that the programme also included a felicitation ceremony recognising contributors to the success of the Karnataka International Travel Expo (KITE) 2025, acknowledging efforts that enhanced Karnataka’s visibility on the global tourism stage.
H K Patil
According to the statement, the event was attended by H K Patil, Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation, and Tourism along with several senior officials of Karnataka Tourism.
“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 centre 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,” said Patil in his address.
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K Syama Raju
KTS office bearers and stakeholders from across the participating districts were also present, highlighting the collaborative spirit of Connect-2026.
“Connect-2026 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,” said K Syama Raju, President, KTS.
K V Thrilok Chandra
“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’,” said K V Thrilok Chandra, Secretary to the Tourism Department, Karnataka.
“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,” added Thrilok Chandra.
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“Our goal is to attract over INR 78 billion in direct investments, create 150,000 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,” he said.
The event was organised as an interactive session with travel, tourism and hospitality stakeholders about Karnataka’s tourism and hospitality sector
“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 over 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,” said S Mahalingaiah, Vice President, KTS.
“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,” added Mahalingaiah.
The statement adds that Connect-2026 Bengaluru concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to strengthen networks, build lasting partnerships and collectively showcase Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to the world. The felicitation of KITE 2025 contributors reinforced the shared commitment of government and industry to elevate Karnataka’s tourism presence globally.