A New Era for Tourism
The tourism industry event in Karnataka has been waiting to arrive since yesterday. Bengaluru witnessed a landmark gathering of visionaries and policymakers. The Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka (GoK), organized the event. This was done in collaboration with the Karnataka Tourism Society.
CONNECT 2026 was organised as an interactive session withtravel, 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.
A Gathering of Leadership
Key leaders driving the state’s vision underscore the success of the CONNECT 2026 meet with their presence.
- 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. (KSTDC).
- Shri Prashant Shankhinamath, IFS, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd. (JLR).
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
Official Event Highlights: CONNECT 2026 Karnataka
Inauguration of Connect – 2026, Bengaluru
The CONNECT 2026 Tourism Meet brought together the leaders of the travel sector. The event highlighted the state’s readiness to welcome global travelers. This follows the “One State, Many Worlds” philosophy.
Strategic Objectives of the Meet
Felicitation of Hon’ble Minister Shri H.K. Patil.
The CONNECT 2026 Karnataka event had a clear mission. It aimed to revitalize travel through sustainable practices. This tourism industry event in Karnataka focused on “Experiential Tourism.” We must move beyond simple sightseeing. Travelers now seek deep cultural immersion.
Mr. S. Mahalingaiah, Vice President of KTS said
“KTS has worked tirelessly over the past year. We aimed to strengthen the visibility of Karnataka, conducted B2B roadshows across Coimbatore, Cochin, and Madurai. We also covered Salem, Indore, and Nagpur. Further shows were held in Aurangabad, Nashik, and Pune.
These initiatives connected over 1,200 buyers. They met with more than 70 stakeholders. This created new linkages across many regions. The success of KITE 2025 was equally significant. It was organized in February 2025. This event brought together 130 exhibitors. It included 100 international buyers and 250 domestic buyers. International and national media provided extensive coverage.
Felicitation at the CONNECT Event
At CONNECT 2026, we were pleased to felicitate the contributors. We honored exhibitors, members, and officials. Their tireless work made KITE 2025 a landmark event. Looking ahead, we will expand our outreach. We will focus on programs like Discover Bidar. We will also promote Explore Kalyana Karnataka. Upcoming roadshows are planned in Andhra Pradesh,Telangana, and Gujarat. These efforts ensure growth for the tourism sector. We will continue to grow inclusively and sustainably.”
Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri H.K. Patil addressing the gathering
The 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 Lakkundi 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.”
The Bengaluru Tourism Event Experience
The venue in Bengaluru buzzed with energy. Local artisans and tech startups showcased their offerings. This Bengaluru tourism event proved a vital point. Karnataka is a comprehensive ecosystem for all travelers. The CONNECT 2026 Tourism Meet successfully united these diverse stakeholders.
Shri K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS, presenting Department initiatives.
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 stands 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.
The CONNECT 2026 meet is the first of many localized events. These events aim to make Karnataka the top travel destination in Asia. Stakeholders at the tourism industry event Karnataka expressed immense optimism for growth.
Stakeholder Interaction: Q&A Session
An engaging Q&A session was held before the event concluded. Tourism stakeholders raised queries regarding local infrastructure, subsidy disbursements, and marketing support. The Panel Members addressed each concern directly, reinforcing the spirit of partnership that defines this Karnataka government tourism initiative.
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 the government and industry, reinforcing the shared commitment to elevate Karnataka’s tourism on the global stage.
Your Journey Starts Here
The CONNECT 2026 meet has laid a strong foundation. Now we must build upon it together. We are updating the official portal with these new insights. We invite you to explore our revamped itineraries.Follow our official blog for more updates on CONNECT 2026 Karnataka. Stay informed about every Karnataka government tourism initiative. Your next adventure in Karnataka begins with us.