India’s southern state of Karnataka is making a serious play for British travelers, wrapping up a multi-city promotional blitz across the United Kingdom that combined dedicated roadshows in Manchester and Birmingham with a high-profile presence at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026. The coordinated push was designed to put Karnataka’s diverse tourism portfolio—ranging from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to coffee plantations and coastal getaways—directly in front of UK-based travel trade professionals and international industry stakeholders, opening the door for business networking, destination marketing and stronger cross-border partnerships.
Leading the delegation were senior officials from Karnataka’s tourism apparatus: Shri. Srinivas M, Chairman of KSTDC; Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, IAS, Secretary of the Tourism Department; Shri Shivaprasad P.R., IAS, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. and Commissioner of the Karnataka Tourism Department; Shri Sivaram Babu M., IFS, Managing Director of Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd.; and Shri Janardhan H.P., Joint Director of the Tourism Department. They were joined by representatives from key private-sector stakeholders including Skyway International Travels Pvt. Ltd., Purple Palms (a Radisson Individuals Premier property), Kanasu Wellness, Mysore International Travels Pvt. Ltd., Hidden Gems Tours, Cintacor Island Resort in Karwar, Travel India Co., and Hotel Ministers Kourt.
The campaign kicked off on November 2, 2026, with the Karnataka Tourism Roadshow in Manchester, held at The Edwardian Manchester, a Radisson Collection Hotel. More than 50 travel agents and tour operators turned out for the event, which featured destination presentations and one-on-one business interactions zeroing in on Karnataka’s tourism strengths. Special emphasis was placed on Coastal Karnataka, the Malnad region, and the state’s famed coffee experiences in Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu. The showcase also highlighted opportunities across heritage tourism, wildlife, wellness, luxury travel and business tourism, with the goal of persuading UK trade partners to include Karnataka in their India itineraries.
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At the Manchester roadshow, Consul General of India Ms. Vishakha Yaduvanshi was in attendance, lending official support to Karnataka’s UK outreach. Senior tourism officials engaged directly with travel trade representatives, discussing destination-specific opportunities and potential business collaborations.
From Manchester, the delegation moved to London for WTM 2026, held November 3–5 at ExCeL London. Karnataka Tourism operated from Stall No. N10-528, using the pavilion as a central hub to present the state’s varied experiences to international tour operators, travel companies, destination management organizations and other industry players. The exhibition floor buzzed with B2B meetings, networking sessions and conversations aimed at boosting Karnataka’s visibility in competitive global markets.
Roadshows in Manchester and Birmingham, alongside WTM London 2026, strengthened Karnataka’s engagement with the UK travel trade.
A standout moment came when Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, and Smt. Sudha Murty, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and Founder of Infosys Foundation, jointly inaugurated the Karnataka Tourism pavilion. Their presence elevated the state’s profile at one of the travel industry’s most important annual gatherings.
Throughout the three-day exhibition, Karnataka’s showcase emphasized its rich cultural and architectural heritage, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wildlife destinations, natural landscapes, coastal experiences, wellness offerings and opportunities for experiential travel. The pavilion also served as a launchpad for the state’s tourism representatives and stakeholders to engage with international partners, present destination-specific offerings and explore future collaboration avenues.
The UK tour concluded on November 6, 2026, with the Karnataka Tourism Roadshow in Birmingham at the Radisson Blu Hotel. More than 25 travel agents, tour operators and media representatives participated. Dr. Venkatachalam Murugan, Consul General of India in Birmingham, attended and voiced support for Karnataka’s engagement with the regional travel trade. Through destination presentations and dedicated B2B interactions, the roadshow introduced participants to the state’s tourism offerings, sparked discussions around itinerary development and helped forge connections with prospective travel partners.
Across all three engagements, Karnataka Tourism consistently pitched the state as a destination with remarkable breadth: from the heritage landscapes of Hampi and Mysuru to the wildlife reserves of Bandipur and Nagarahole, the coffee-growing regions of Coorg and Chikkamagaluru, and the beaches and natural attractions of Coastal Karnataka. The state’s responsible tourism initiatives, wellness experiences and Bengaluru’s potential as a business and MICE destination were also woven into the broader tourism proposition.
Through its WTM London participation and the Manchester and Birmingham roadshows, Karnataka Tourism aimed to deepen relationships with the UK travel trade, encourage inclusion of the state in India travel itineraries and build greater awareness of its tourism offerings. The engagements also provided a valuable opportunity to understand market requirements, exchange industry insights and identify new avenues for collaboration with international travel partners.
Why it matters: Karnataka’s coordinated UK push signals a deliberate strategy to capture a larger share of the outbound British travel market at a time when travelers are increasingly seeking diverse, off-the-beaten-path experiences within India. By directly engaging trade professionals in three key cities, the state is positioning itself as a serious competitor to more established Indian destinations—and betting that its mix of heritage, wildlife, wellness and coffee tourism will resonate with UK tour operators looking to refresh their India itineraries.
ZM
Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka
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