The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Bengaluru office in association with Karnataka Tourism, and Karnataka Tourism Society, had organized the Discover Mysuru programme to showcase the splendours of Mysuru through the eyes of travel content creators from across India. The programme was held between 10th -15th September, 2024.
According to Shri Mohamed Farouk, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Bengaluru Office:
“Mysuru, along with Hampi, has been selected for infrastructure and destination development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, extending central financial assistance to the State Government. In addition, Mysuru is preparing for a series of marquee festivals, such as Dasara and Music, in the coming months. Keeping this in mind, organized the Discover Mysuru Influencers FAM Trip in collaboration with the State Tourism Department and other stakeholders. This initiative aims to generate positive publicity and marketing ahead of these marquee festivals.”
Ms Savitha M.K., Joint Director, Tourism Department, Mysuru, sees tourism as an instrument of peace. “This is the first time we have hosted such an event in Mysuru, and we hope to boost tourism to Mysuru through the content created by the bloggers and Vloggers,” she said.
The Discover Mysuru, essentially a familiarization tour to the Mysuru District of Karnataka, began with the travel content creators assembling in Bengaluru, where they experienced a heritage walk. Later the Discover Mysuru programme was formally inaugurated, followed by a cultural programme that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka.
Over 5-days, the group which was part of the Discover Mysuru programme had a medley of immersive experiences that spanned wildlife, heritage, culture, and cuisine. They visited the ancient temples of Srikanteshwara in Nanjangud and the Sri Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru. The UNESCO World Heritage temple of Chenaakeshava in Somanathapura was also a part of their itinerary.
The Discover Mysuru programme also introduced the participants to the wild side of Mysuru at the Bandipur National Park, where they were lucky to have a leopard sighting. An integral part of Mysuru is its arts and handicrafts. A visit to a craft centre engaged in Rosewood Inlay Work was organized for the participants.
The Mysore Palace is one of the important landmarks not only of Mysuru but of India. The group got an opportunity to marvel at the magnificence of the structure and its interiors. A highlight of the visit to the palace was an interactive session with Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar, Hon Member of Parliament, Mysore-Kodagu. The bloggers and influencers shared their experiences in Mysuru, while Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar shared his vision for Mysuru and its heritage and culture.
Heritage spots like the legendary Devaraja Market, the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, and the Brindavan Gardens were part of the itinerary. The group also got to experience a heritage Tonga ride and a ride on an open-roofed double-decker bus for an immersive experience of the charming vibes of Mysuru.
The group of travel content creators also experienced the flavours and aromas of local cuisine at select eateries. As part of the Discover Mysuru programme, the rich folk culture and the dance and music of Karnataka were showcased to the group through various performances.
The Discover Mysuru programme concluded with the participants feeling enriched with the myriad experiences that the trip to Mysuru had provided them with.
“The “Discover Mysuru” initiative has been successful and is already yielding dividends in the form of quality blogs and social media content from influencers active in the travel and lifestyle sectors. We at the Ministry of Tourism firmly believe that social media plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of potential travellers. Therefore, we will continue to implement similar programs in the near future,” said Shri Mohamed Farouk, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Bengaluru Office about the impact of the programme.
“We are happy with the kind of creative content that the travel content creators have been putting up. This is informative, and helps in the promotion of Mysuru tourism in a big way,” said Ms Savitha M.K., Joint Director, Tourism Department, Mysuru.
The Byline would be: Sandy N Vyjay ( Couple Travel Writers & Content Creators at Voyager )
