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UDUPI: In a move that will promote river and sea tourism, the district tourism development committee on Friday plumped for floating restaurants along the pristine backwaters of the district. The committee headed by deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha that met here decided to invite expressions of interest from entrepreneurs and those into the hospitality industry to kick-start this venture and later invite tenders to take the project forward.

Expressing intent to further tap the tourism potential of the district, the committee decided to focus its efforts on getting the Blue Flag tag for Kodi beach in Kundapur. Primary survey to develop the beach as per specifications laid down for this tag has been completed, DC said. Udupi already has a Blue Flag beach at Padubidri and is one of the two Blue Flag certified beaches in the state. A master plan has been readied to develop the beach at Paduveri.

A master plan has also been drawn up to develop various tourist amenities at the Ottinene Tree Park including a restaurant and make it a major tourist hub. In addition, DC directed the tourism department to draw up a plan of action that will make all beaches have their own sustainable model of development. This will alleviate the need for the department to find budgetary support for the beaches and promote entrepreneurship, DC said.

Taking cognizance of issues that locals faced at Padubidri Blue Flag Beach due to heavy influx of tourists there, Jagadeesha directed the authorities to take up all development activities there in consultation with them. This entails developing basic infrastructure at the main beach at Padubidri, he said. The task of maintaining the main beach should be entrusted to the locals to ensure their participation in the region’s development, he said.

The kiosks set up alongside National Highway 66 at Trasi and Maravanthe beaches should be allotted to bidders at the earliest. All works taken up under funds released for promotion of the coastal tourism circuit should be completed in a time bound manner, he said. Care should be taken to ensure that there is no violation of CRZ norms while executing the work, he said, directing the department to ensure that all homestays are compulsorily registered.