Bangalore: Tourism in Karnataka is on the upswing with the state becoming a hot favourite with tourists from the Gulf.

Emirate holidays, a unit of Emirate Airways, has shown keen interest to have an operating base for adventure and eco tourism in Karnataka, a forerunner in the field, a top official of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Limited (JLR) said.

Travel companies like Al-Jazirah Al-Arabia and Arabian Odyssey from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sela Tours from Jakarta "are very enthusiastic about having a tie-up with us for adventure and wildlife tourism", Vinay Luthra, managing director JLR said.

"These companies will be visiting our resorts very soon," he said.

Besides, Kairali group of companies in Kerala are also keen to collaborate with JLR for providing Ayurvedic facilties in its resorts, he said.

The organisation is also "in talks with Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) who have shown interest in handing over their property in Melukamanahalli near Bandipur wildlife sanctuary to JLR", he said, adding they plan to convert it into a jungle resort offering jungle safaris.

PTI