ADTOI Launches Karnataka Chapter in Bengaluru to Promote Heritage and Eco-Tourism Circuits: New Travel Alert

The Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India has launched its Karnataka Chapter at Hotel Maurya in Bengaluru. The newly formed division aims to support regional travel growth, improve industry cooperation, and develop new domestic holiday packages.

The Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India has launched its new regional division in Bengaluru to accelerate the development of local holiday routes. By establishing a unified platform for travel professionals to expand domestic tourism circuits Karnataka offers, the new chapter aims to create fresh commercial opportunities across the state. The installation ceremony, held at Hotel Maurya on Race Course Road, brought together senior government officials, hospitality representatives, and tour operators to outline a coordinated strategy for sustainable travel growth.

Regional Tour Operators Unite to Expand Local Holiday Options

The establishment of the Karnataka Chapter represents a defining moment for the travel sector in southern India. Tour operators, hospitality companies, and transport providers now have a unified platform to coordinate marketing campaigns and design innovative itineraries. By combining efforts, the local travel trade can better promote the state's cultural landmarks, nature reserves, temple complexes, coastal drives, and adventure parks to travelers from other parts of the country.

According to reports, the new chapter will serve as a central hub for industry collaboration, ensuring that the concerns of local operators are represented at both state and national levels. The initiative aims to drive responsible tourism practices, protecting the natural environment while generating economic benefits for local communities. The chapter plans to work closely with local homestays, eco-lodges, and transport cooperatives to expand the benefits of tourism beyond traditional city centers.

The installation ceremony began with a networking lunch, followed by the formal introduction of the new office bearers, and concluded with the first official planning meeting. The strong turnout from the local travel trade underscores the shared commitment to making Karnataka a highly accessible and attractive destination for domestic tourists.

Appointed Leadership and Executive Committee Members

To guide the strategic growth and community outreach of the newly established chapter, a dedicated team of experienced travel professionals has been appointed to the executive board, as detailed in the table below:

Board Position	Appointed Officer	Primary Role & Responsibilities
Chapter Chairman	Mr. Roshan Pinto	Leading strategic direction, membership growth, and state partnerships
Chapter Secretary	Ms. Poonam Shetty	Coordinating communications, scheduling, and regional operator events
Chapter Treasurer	Ms. Bhavana Jalan	Managing budget allocations, membership dues, and event funding
LEO Member	Ms. Neena L. Pereira	Guiding the Lady Entrepreneur Officer initiatives and women-led ventures
NGCC Member	Mr. H. Jagadeesh	Serving on the National Growth Committee for Chapter development
SCA Member	Mr. Ramananda K. S.	Serving as the State Chapter Advisor to align regional and national goals

This leadership team will focus on building stronger connections between local operators and national travel networks, making it easier for agencies across India to package and sell Karnataka destinations.

Dignitaries Support State-Level Tourism Growth Initiatives

The launch ceremony was attended by prominent government representatives and hospitality leaders, reflecting the importance of domestic travel to the state's economy. The table below lists the key dignitaries who participated in the installation event:

Attending Dignitary	Official Position & Organization	Focus of Support
Shri M. Srinivas	Chairman, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation	Improving state transport and accommodation infrastructure
Shri Manoj Kumar, IFS	Principal Secretary (Forests), Government of Karnataka	Developing sustainable eco-tourism and wildlife corridors
Shri Janardhan H. P.	Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka	Aligning promotional campaigns and tour operator licenses
Shri K. Syama Raju	President of SIHRA & KTS, Past President of FHRAI	Supporting hotel and restaurant integration with tour operators
Shri Vishweshwar Bhat	Editor-in-Chief of Vishwavani	Amplifying regional cultural travel through media coverage
Shri Ved Khanna	National President, ADTOI	Aligning regional chapter activities with national tourism goals

The presence of senior forestry and tourism officials highlights the state's interest in developing sustainable wilderness and heritage travel packages that protect natural resources while creating local jobs.

Strategic Direction Focused on Diverse Regional Attractions

National leaders emphasized that Karnataka offers diverse options for travelers, from the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Hampi and Pattadakal to the coffee estates of Coorg and the beaches of Gokarna. The newly formed chapter will focus on developing themed travel packages—such as temple trails, wildlife safaris, and coastal excursions—to attract repeat visitors.

The state's geographic diversity provides a significant advantage, allowing operators to design year-round travel options. In addition to heritage and nature travel, the chapter will promote experiential travel, including spice plantation tours, local craft workshops, and culinary tours featuring regional cuisines.

By organizing regular travel trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and training workshops for local guides, the chapter hopes to improve the quality of the visitor experience. This structured approach aims to position Karnataka as a reliable and high-value destination in the competitive Indian domestic market.

Why This Matters: Unified Networks Improve the Domestic Travel Experience

For the traveler, this means that booking custom holidays in Karnataka will become easier and more reliable. The collaboration between local operators under the new chapter ensures that travel packages—whether for a weekend getaway to Chikmagalur or a historical tour of Mysore—are managed by certified agencies that adhere to standardized service guidelines. Travelers can look forward to more diverse, off-the-beaten-path itineraries that combine comfortable transport with verified local stays and professional guides.

From a logistical standpoint, the coordination between the tour operators' association and government departments like the Forest Department and KSTDC will lead to better facility management at popular destinations. For travel agents, the new chapter simplifies the process of securing block bookings for heritage monuments, wildlife safaris, and state-run accommodations. This unified network reduces communication delays, ensuring that reservations are secured efficiently and reducing the risk of booking issues during peak holiday seasons.

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