India, June 6 -- This morning, I took part in a panel discussion on media and tourism at Mysore Travel Mart-2026, organised by the Mysore Travels Association.

GRS Fantasy Park was the principal sponsor and NOT the Karnataka Tourism Department. The Department sponsored nothing.

That absence said a great deal. It seems the task of promoting Mysuru appears to have been left largely to local travel agents, hoteliers and entrepreneurs. The Government, which should be leading this effort, seems content to watch from the sidelines.

One is left wondering whether Karnataka's policymakers are serious about making Mysuru a global tourism destination.

For decades, Mysuru wore the crown of a 'royal city'. Later, it came to be known as a 'heritage ...