The Karnataka government will soon announce a new tourism policy for a period of five years — 2009-14 — with several changes and industry-friendly schemes. The policy, approved by the state cabinet, is under print and will be made public within a week, a senior government official said.

K Jyothiramalingam, principal secretary, department of tourism, said today that the new tourism policy will encourage the development of tourism infrastructure in the most backward taluks of the state. The government proposes to provide a cash subsidy up to Rs 35 lakh or a maximum of 35 per cent of the investment being made by private sector for setting up hotels among other things, he said.

"For the first time, we have incorporated in our new tourism policy, a cash incentive scheme for the development of hotels in the backward areas of the state. We have also made a provision of similar incentives to those who come forward to promote heli tourism, medical tourism or wellness tourism in the state. Though the policy has not made a mention on the incentive for development of heli tourism, there is a provision for the same and the exact details will be announced while floating the tenders for specific projects," he said.