Budget 2026: Karnataka to invest ₹1 crore on training tourist guides, auto and taxi drivers; draft development plan for coastal belt

Karnataka plans to invest ₹1 crore in training and development to enhance tourism and protect its heritage sites.

To ensure a pleasant experience for tourists visiting Karnataka, the State Government will invest ₹1 crore to train tourist guides, taxi and auto drivers, and security police staff, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on March 6.

The State Government will be introducing soft skill training courses to enhance professionalism, while selected universities will offer diploma programmes to equip tourist guides with specialised skills.  

Participants of the Walking Guided Tour Programme of the Vidhana Soudha building, organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, in Bengaluru on May 25, 2025. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Furthermore, to preserve the State’s heritage, 1,000 ‘’ (firms, NGOs designated for conserving, maintaining, and developing tourist amenities at a site for at least five years) will be trained and accredited by the Tourism Department to protect 844 protected monuments and 1,000 unprotected monuments across Karnataka. 

Recognising the tourism potential of Karnataka’s coastal districts, the government plans to prepare a ‘Comprehensive Coastal Tourism Development Plan’. Connectivity to key attractions in these areas will be enhanced through ‘sea plane and heli-taxi services’, developed in collaboration with private stakeholders, while joy rides and river cruises will be promoted, Mr. Siddaramaiah announced. 

A ₹100 crore plan to develop Anjanadri Hill in Koppal district into a world class tourist destination will proceed after getting the required forest and environmental clearances from the Central Government, and concurrence of UNESCO, the CM said.