Karnataka plans startup policy to upgrade tourism services and visitor experience

The Karnataka Tourism Department has announced plans to formulate a dedicated Tourism Start-up Promotion Policy aimed at integrating the state's technology startup ecosystem with operational requirements across various destinations. State Tourism Minister K.J. George stated that the framework seeks to invite young entrepreneurs and innovators to develop practical technological solutions for the tourism sector.

The policy initiative intends to connect regional innovation networks with real-world administrative and logistical challenges faced by travellers. By introducing structured pathways for pilot testing, the department aims to evaluate how emerging products and services can improve daily management and visitor convenience before wider implementation.

Speaking on the policy outline, Mr. George noted that tourism planning must extend beyond physical infrastructure construction. He explained that technology integration can render travel safer, simpler, and more efficient, positioning state-run heritage and leisure sites as active testbeds for early-stage enterprises.

Identified priority areas for innovation include digital services, visitor mobility, cleanliness, destination management, safety protocols, accessibility, and tourist information dissemination. Officials also highlighted the scope for startups to introduce solutions addressing sustainable tourism practices and authentic locally rooted experiences.

Tourism Secretary V. Ram Prasath Manohar detailed that the upcoming policy will establish a systematic pipeline. This mechanism will translate specific operational challenges into defined problem statements for startups to address through targeted products. Selected prototypes will undergo field evaluations at designated tourism spots to gauge their operational viability.

Successful technological interventions demonstrated during the pilot phase will be considered for scaled deployment across state-managed attractions. The formal rollout timeline and operational guidelines for the startup promotion framework are expected to be released by the department in the coming weeks.