16th December 2022 As Bengaluru played host to the first set of events, that are part of the G20 schedule, the Karnataka Government brought in the rich heritage and cultural vistas to the fore to give the delegates a glimpse of what the state has to offer.
Under the direction of Hon’ble Chief Minister. Sri Basavaraj Bommai, Chief minister of Karnataka, and guidance of Smt. Vandita Sharma, Chief Secretary to Government, Sri Kapil Mohan, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Sri. ISN Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Sri. Rajnesh Goel, Additional Chief Secretary, Sri. Javed Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest Department, Sri. Praveen Sood, Director General and Inspector General of Police, Sri. Pratap Reddy, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, PWD, Dr. N. Manjula, Secretary, Kannada & Culture Department, Dr Ram Prasath Manohar V, Director of ‘Karnataka Tourism’, Bangalore Rural District Administration and Dr.P.S.Harsha, IPS, Commissioner of Information and Public Relations, the tourism department along with various other departments reached out to the delegates from the various G20 countries and guest nations to give them an experience of various highlights of the state in form of cultural performances, tourist destinations, coffee sampling, handwoven silk from Karnataka and handicraft heritage from Cauvery. Karnataka Handicrafts affiliated artisans also held live demonstrations on making Channapatna Toys at the venue.
The exhibition also showcased the world of Millets as a super-crop to the visiting delegates. The Governments of Karnataka and India’s initiative to get international recognition for these nutrient-rich crops have yielded results with the United Nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
Karnataka Tourism as part of its initiative has laid out the red carpet to international delegates from over 35 countries attending the Bengaluru leg of the G20 Summit Meet. The visit of international delegates to Karnataka reinforces ‘Brand Karnataka’ and helps reinforce the ‘One State, Many World’ tagline of the tourism department. Some of the live artforms that wowed the audience included a riveting performance of Dollu Kunitha, flute and violin and lively traditional dances of Yakshagana, Veeragase and Pooja Kunitha.
Being the nodal department managing this prestigious event, Karnataka Tourism sees this as a prestigious and landmark occasion to showcase the best of what the state has to offer to a global and well-travelled audience. Karnataka Tourism with the organizations of the Jungle Lodges and Resorts and KSTDC also showcased the immense tourism potential of the state in their pavilion, which is modelled on the Mysore Palace in all its grandeur.
Karnataka will host 14 G20 meetings (11 in Bengaluru, 2 in Hampi, 1 in Mysuru). This is highest after Delhi-NCR and the State is honoured to be given this opportunity. During the meetings and the stay of the delegates, we will be showcasing the State’s many offerings. Excursion trips are planned within Bengaluru city as well as for Nandi Hills, Bhoga Nandishwara Temple, Mysuru and Hampi. We would like to encourage the G20 Secretariat to also showcase the Golden Chariot, South India’s only luxury train. A Bangalore City Tour has been organized on 15th December 2022 to showcase our rich culture & heritage as well as our industrial and technology strengths.
The delegates had a day out in Bengaluru visiting landmarks such as the Gandhi Statue on MG Road, the Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park. Appreciating the salubrious climate of the city, the visitors enjoyed their filter coffees, happily posed for photographs in front of the Vidhana Soudha. The day-long tour around the city, brought them to create memories of a lifetime in India’s Garden City. The delegates appreciated the warm hospitality of the people of Bengaluru and the arrangements made by Karnataka Tourism during their stay here.
Karnataka had geared up to receive delegates at the JW Marriott Prestige Golfshire for the first set of G20 Meetings from the 13 – 17 December 2022. The schedule of meetings are as follows:
- 1st Finance & Central Deputies Meeting from 13 – 15 December 2022
- 1st Framework Working Group Meeting from 16 – 17 December 2022
Karnataka is leaving no stone unturned for the smooth conduct of the G20 meetings, with regard to Venue Management, Accommodation arrangements, Security, Transportation, Cultural Program, state related Branding & Publicity, Excursions, Road & Infrastructure and presenting the delegates with Gifts & Souvenirs from the state.
About Karnataka: ‘Karnataka – One State, Many Worlds’ is well known for silk, milk, coffee, honey and more. It is home to several forts, architectural marvels, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Other diverse visitor attractions include pilgrim sites, coastal landscapes and national parks.
The state offers a variety of tourism attractions that cater to the demand from different visitor segments, such as eco-tourism, wellness and adventure. Over the years Karnataka has emerged as one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in the country, and also created a space for itself in the international tourism circuit. As of 2019, the State was ranked as third most preferred destination among domestic tourists, a ranking the state has held for 3 consecutive years.
