Karnataka plans dedicated centre to promote State’s art, culture, and tourism abroad

The Karnataka Tourism Department will soon be setting up a Karnataka Centre for Cultural Diplomacy (KCCD) — a first-of-its-kind initiative which aims to use Karnataka’s culture as a bridge between the State and the world. The centre will promote art, heritage, and a creative economy globally, improve diplomatic ties with foreign missions, and attract international tourists through cultural exchange.  

KCCD will function as a dedicated cell under the Tourism Department and enhance Karnataka’s visibility through cultural diplomacy. Officials told The Hindu that it was decided to set up such a centre in the city as Bengaluru already hosts one of the largest numbers of foreign consulates in India, and KCCD will further build sustained relationships through ‘quarterly diplomatic round tables’ and ‘Annual Karnataka Cultural Diplomacy Forum’. These platforms will help co-create cultural events, tourism campaigns, and international collaborations.  

Local artists on global platforms

“Beyond tourism, KCCD aims to strengthen the State’s creative economy by connecting local artists, performers, and cultural entrepreneurs to global platforms. The centre will also help Karnataka’s traditional crafts, folk arts, and cuisine reach global markets through curated events and digital promotion,” K.V. Trilok Chandra, Secretary, Tourism Department, said, adding that diaspora engagement is another key area. The KCCD will work with overseas Karnataka natives to promote cultural exchange and tourism advocacy abroad.  

The initiative will also facilitate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with foreign governments and support embassies in celebrating their national days and festivals with Karnataka-based artists and performers, a senior official said, adding that the centre will serve as the strategic and operational arm between the State and other countries and international organisations.  

Further, KCCD will prepare annual cultural diplomatic strategies aligned with Karnataka’s tourism policy and identify priority countries and regions for engagement based on tourism potential and diplomatic presence. It will coordinate with departments such as Kannada and Culture, Commerce and Industries, and Urban Development. 

Live database

A live database of foreign consulates, honorary consuls, and international organisations operating in Karnataka will be maintained for smoother collaboration. To ensure sustained international visibility, the Centre will create a dedicated website and have social media presence, supported by multilingual digital campaigns and global media partnerships. Monitoring and evaluation systems, officials said, will track the impact of these efforts through key performance indicators including inbound tourist growth, global media coverage, and diplomatic engagement outcomes. 

Mr. Chandra added that with this, the primary goal is to present Karnataka’s diverse identity — from the architectural wonders of Hampi and Belur to the folk traditions of North Karnataka and the cosmopolitan pulse of Bengaluru to international audiences. To achieve this, KCCD will curate international cultural festivals, tourism roadshows, culinary diplomacy events, and arts and craft showcases. It will also organise Familiarisation (FAM) trips, giving them firsthand experiences of Karnataka’s destinations, cuisine, and craftsmanship, he added.