The Kannur International Airport in Kerala, which is scheduled to be opened in September, is set to be a boon for the tourism industry in south-west Karnataka.
Tourism in the area is likely to get a boost as top destinations like Mysuru and Kodagu (Coorg) are within easy reach from Kannur. The new airport in Mattanur (Kannur district) is coming up on 1,900 acres and is just 58 km from Virajpet, about 90 km from Madikeri and 158 km from Mysuru.
The airport will serve as a gateway for tourism development since Kodagu is closer to Kannur than Mangaluru and Bengaluru, and thus enhances air connectivity, which could boost tourism. Travel operators in Kodagu and Mysuru feel the new airport will increase the tourist footfall in the region.
“Tourists who want to visit Mysuru and Madikeri may choose to travel via Kannur airport instead of Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport since the Kannur airport is near to this area. Travelling from Bengaluru airport to Mysuru is very difficult because of bumper to bumper traffic. Hence, people will opt for the Kodagu route where the road is also good,” said B S Prashanth, president of Mysuru Travels Association (MTA), a local association of travel companies.
“This airport will help the tourism industry in Kodagu to flourish since it is already a tourist destination with many homestays and popular hill resorts. Now, Karnataka’s tourism department should make use of this airport to improve the tourism industry,” he added.
Kodagu locals feel the new airport is expected to help export of commercial crops grown in Kodagu district and will also cater to non-resident Indians from Kodagu with efficient and cost-effective travel.
Ranjan Kushalappa, who owns a homestay in Virajpet, said, “We are expecting a good tourist footfall from Kannur airport. Many in Kodagu feel that this airport will develop travel, tourism and industries of the district.”
Apart from Kodagu and Mysuru, the airport is also expected to benefit flyers from Chikkamagalur and Hassan districts.