About KTS

Karnataka, the biggest state of Southern India is blessed with a rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and historical significance. The ‘Karnataka Tourism Society’ aims to promote and develop this region as a vibrant and sustainable tourist destination, highlighting its unique offerings, preserving its cultural heritage, and boosting the local economy.

Histroy

Objectives

Our Team

Sl.No Name Position Email Address
1 K. Syama Raju President / SHIRA president@karnatakatourismsociety.org No.150/B, New No.9, 10th Main Road, RMV Extension, Sadashivanagar Bangalore-560080
2 S. Mahalingaiah Chairman / IATO secretary@karnatakatourismsociety.org 8045, ALDER, Sobha Forest View, 100 Ft. Road, Vajarahalli, BSK 6th Stage, Bangalore-560062
3 M. Ravindra Member / IATO js@karnatakatourismsociety.org 223, Surya, 5th Cross, 2nd Block, RMV 2nd Stage, Devasandra, Bangalore-560094
4 Vineet Verma Chairman/Tourism Expert Committee - BCIC vp@karnatakatourismsociety.org No.1609, 16th Floor, Brigade Gateway, 26/1, Dr. Rajkumar Road, Near Orion Mall, Malleswaram, Bangalore-560055
5 Prakash Mandoth Chairman / FKCCI Tourism Committee mcm3@karnatakatourismsociety.org No.47, 7th B Main Road, Jayanagar 4th Block, Bangalore-560011
6 Amish Desai Chairman / TAAI treasurer@karnatakatourismsociety.org No.3G, HVS Homes 4, No.76/7, 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, Bangalore-560055
7 Sreeraj Singh Sabharwal Chairman / TAFI Anand, No.50, 60 Feet Shampur Road, Next Dr. Ambedkar Medical College, K.G. Halli, Nagawara, Bangalore-560045
8 P Chandrashekar Rao KPHRA Mantri Greens, No.A-1004, No.1, Sampige Road, Next to Mantri Mall, Malleswaram, Bangalore-560003
9 H. Jagadeesh Chairman / ETTA mcm2@karnatakatourismsociety.org No.104, 17th Main, 12th Cross, J.P. Nagar, 2nd Phase, Bangalore-560078
10 Ayappa Somaiah 1st Vice President / SKAL Karnataka mcm1@karnatakatourismsociety.org No 2 Kaveri, Nandi View Layout RT Nagar Bengaluru 560032
11 H.T. Ratnakar Advisor – Karnataka Tourism Department convenor@karnatakatourismsociety.org 1204, Princetown Royale Shettihalli Road, Jalahalli West BENGALURU -560015
12 S N K Chidambara Member / KTF 342, 36th A Cross, 9th Main Road, 5th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore-560041
13 Sanjar Syed Asghar Imam Member / KTF mcm5@karnatakatourismsociety.org D-38, Diamond District, Old Airport Road, Bangalore-560008
14 Radhakrishna Holla President / BTTOA mcm4@karnatakatourismsociety.org F No. 103, Gomati Shanthiniketan, No.6, Andre Road, Bangalore-560027
15 B. S. Prashanth Member / MTA No.5352,Shravanabelagola Road, Dattagalli 3rd Stage, Mysore-570022
16 Ramya Ravindra Manager - KTF Flat No.24, Goodwill Ganga Apartment, Chandra Layout, Bangalore-560040
17 Manoj Mathew President/ SKAL Karnataka 3A, Samruddhi Royale, No.2,High Street, Cooke Town, Bangalore-560005
K Syama Raju
K Syama Raju

President

A visionary in the hospitality and tourism sector comes with rich experience and holds the distinction of being associated both in the manufacturing sector as well as the services sector. He brings with him over 4 decade of experience and has had the privilege of being associated in a very Senior capacity with Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board and Mysore Sales International Limited. 

He is well known in the social circle of Bangalore, and is a highly accomplished Industrialist, Educationist, and above all a philanthropist. 

He is the Chairman of Hotel Maurya, a prominent 120 keys hotel in the city center. He was the past President of the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (New Delhi) and President of South India Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (Chennai) and has proactively contributed to the betterment of the Industry. 

Mr. Syama Raju, is one of the founder members of Karnataka Tourism Society and is the President of the Society.

Vineet Verma
Vineet Verma

Vice President

Vineet served Royal Calcutta Turf Club, one of the most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing institutions in the world from 1980 till 2003, having been appointed as its Secretary & CEO in the year 1993. He was also two times the Secretary General of the Turf Authorities of India. 

He was later invited to join Bengal Ambuja Metro Dev. Ltd in 2003 as their CEO. The company developed the well-known ‘City Centre’ Mall in Salt Lake, Kolkata. 

While in Kolkata, he was actively involved in CII, ICC, Young Leaders forum, Bengal Chamber of Commerce etc. He was also the Member, Governing Body of Concern for Calcutta, a leading NGO in West Bengal. 

Vineet was then invited to join Brigade Group in 2006. He is presently the Executive Director & CEO, Brigade Hospitality, that develops and manages Hotels, Serviced Apartments, Clubs and Convention Centers besides Corporate & Institutional Catering. Brigade Group presently has 6 Hotels in operation mostly across South India, with several more under construction. 

Vineet also leads Brigade Hospitality’s initiative to extend specialized services to multiple Senior Living projects being developed by the Group, across Bangalore. 

He is a member of the Management Committee of Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the Chairman of its Expert Committee on Tourism. He is also the Vice President of Karnataka Tourism Society and was a Member of Karnataka Tourism Vision Group constituted by the Government of Karnataka. 

Vineet is also actively promoting the cause of the Girl Child, in association with World Vision India.

S Mahalingaiah
S Mahalingaiah

Secretary

Master of Commerce Degree holder from Mysore University; founded Skyway International Travels during 1994 after gaining 10 years’ experience in Tourism and Hospitality Industry; served Rotary Mysore in many capacities including President between 2004-05; instrumental in raising funds to start the Rotary Mysore Chandrakala Blood Bank in Mysore and served as its Chairman for 6 years; was Chairman of Ideal Jawa Rotary School, Mysuru with 2000 plus children for 3 years between 2002-05.

He has been instrumental in getting a 5-years MTA (Master of Tourism Administration) course introduced in five universities in Karnataka. This has helped the industry to recruit over 300 qualified students annually into the sector; served as a Member on Board of studies in Tourism Administration of Mysore University for 2 years to introduce tourism Degree and Master Degree courses from 2006-2008.

He also authored the 1st edition of the popular MYSORE GUIDE that was first published in 2005. The guide has subsequently come out in 3 editions, with over 40,000 copies sold so far.

He has widely travelled in India and internationally across over 55 countries; He has been the Chairman, IATO Karnataka Chapter since 2010; been a Member of the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group under the previous Govt.; has been instrumental in bringing in many mega events to Karnataka including IATO Convection during 2008-09 and PATA  Travel Mark  during 2015.

He is a Founder Member of Karnataka Tourism Society, serving as Secretary; successfully organised the KITE 2019 (Karnataka International Travel Expo 2019) wherein where in 100+ International buyers and 240 Indian buyers were invited to attend the exclusive B2B event in Bengaluru, Karnataka in August 2019; organised 5 Mega FAM tours for 220 delegates as Chairman of FAM Tour committee.

He is also the Secretary – Skyway Tourism Education Trust, a trust formed with the main objective of providing education, training to front office staff, drivers and guides in Karnataka apart from other activities to promote tourism in India.

Member – Indian Chamber of Commerce Tourism Expert Committee 2020-22

Member – Tourism Task Force, CII Southern Region 2021-22

Skyway is a 29 years old company, leading   Inbound Tour Operator in India bringing more tourists to our country.  Skyway is head quartered in Bengaluru with its registered office in Mysore and branches in Madikeri, Mangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and overseas offices.  Skyway has a team of 55 professional staff with 100 + vehicles.

Manoj Mathew
Manoj Mathew

Joint Secretary

Mr. Manoj Mathew a seasoned hotelier, heading the Hospitality Division of Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt. Ltd. as Vice President – Operations. Mr. Manoj Mathew is a Taj Veteran with over 34 years of service with the Taj Group of Hotels. A Science Graduate from the Steel City of Bhilai, Mr. Mathew went to earn a Hotel Management Diploma from the first institute of Hotel Management in South East Asia. Institute of Hotel Management. Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition (IHMCTAN), Mumbai. Having joined Taj Group in 1986, Mr. Mathew has had a varied and exciting journey which has taken him from Kerala to Gujarat and from Zambia to Sri Lanka.  His has established his credentials as an expert in business turnaround and curator of unique guest experiences. 

This thought-leader with a strong value system, Mr. Mathew is the Immediate Past President for SKAL International Bangalore.

He is also Founding Member of Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) and presently the Jt. Secretary of KTS 2021-23.  He also lends his Hospitality Expertise as a Member of Tourism, Hospitality & Travel Expert Committee of Bangalore Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BCIC). An avid traveler, nature lover and disciple of global cuisine. he has a hard time juggling between his professional commitments and personal passions.

G K Shetty
G K Shetty

Treasurer

From humble beginnings in 1984 as a single themed restaurant, the Swathi Group under the stewardship of Mr. Shetty has today grown to become a multi-faceted hospitality company catering to a wide section of society providing high-quality experience and value. Today, the Swathi Group includes: 7 stand-alone Restaurants, 1- Outdoor Catering Unit, a 60-rooms 3-Star Hotel and a 45-rooms Business hotel. In addition, targeting the young-at-heart audiences is a network of popular  Resto-bars and Pubs across Bengaluru.

With a group employee base of 1000 (and indirect employment to nearly an additional 1500 people), the Swathi Group today clocks a turnover of nearly Rs. 100 Crore.

G K Shetty is also active in industry and social bodies. Some of his social and industry responsibilities include as: Chairman, FKCCI Tourism Committee 2022-23, Honorary Secretary of Karnataka State Hotel Association, Convenor for Bangalore Bunts Hotel Association and as Managing Trustee of Swathi Educational Charitable Trust.

P C Rao
P C Rao

Commitee Member

Radhakrishna Holla
Radhakrishna Holla

Commitee Member

Mr. Radhakrishna Holla entered the travel trade solely focussing in the car segment. With a zeal toexcel he started with a very small fleet of cars way back in 1993, and grew his business slowly but steadily and gradually came to be recognised as a pioneer in the car rental segment. He includedvarious newer models of cars just to ensure a travellers comfort and has a niche market for luxury
cars.

Mr. RadhaKrishna Holla has represented major taxi and transport associations since over a decade and has contributed immensely with his suggestions for the betterment of the trade. He has been the office bearer in the capacity of Vice Chairman of the Tourism Committee, in the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and is a founder member of the Karnataka Tourism Society.

Ayappa Somaiah
Ayappa Somaiah

Commitee Member

Started career with Sita World Travel, the leading Inbound Tour Operator in India and continued with the company for over two decades gaining immense experience in operationsand business development in top management positions. After long corporate journey,
turned entrepreneur and started “Tattva Trails”, a successful tour operating company which extends personalised and experiential service to the discerning traveller.

Been active in the tourism industry and continue to work closely with Department of Tourism in development and promotion of the state. Was the Chairman of KITE 2019, the first ever B2B international buyer seller meet organised by KTS with Karnataka Tourism.

Currently First Vice President of Skal International, Bangalore. Skal is an international body of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality professionals.

H Jagadeesh
H Jagadeesh

Commitee Member

Over 15 years of diverse experience in the Travel and Tourism sector. He started career in 2007 with Flight Raja Travels Pvt. Ltd. (later renamed as Via0, then India’s largest travel network. Since he wanted to chart his own path in the tourism industry, he started his own successful venture, BIG Travels in Bengaluru that is today a reputed Destination Management Company with focus on Karnataka & Tamil Nadu markets.

Jagdeesh is also actively involved with various tourism industry associations like the Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF), Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association (BTTOA), Karnataka State Travel Operators Association (KSTOA) and Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA). 

Ratnakar H T
Ratnakar H T

Convener

Amish Desai
Amish Desai

Commitee Member

G K Shetty
G K Shetty

Membership Development Committee

Rohit Hangal
Rohit Hangal

Website, Digital Marketing & Social Media

P C Rao
P C Rao

CONNECT 2024 & Media & PR Committee

S Mahalingaiah
S Mahalingaiah

MICE & Bangalore Convention & Visitors Bureau Committee

H T Ratnakar
H T Ratnakar

Government Liaison Committee

Manoj Mathew
Manoj Mathew

Fund Raising Committee

Vineet Verma
Vineet Verma

Newsletter Committee

Radhakrishna Holla
Radhakrishna Holla

Transport Committee

K N Prashanth
K N Prashanth

Dasara Committee

Ayappa Somaiah
Ayappa Somaiah

KITE 2024 Committee

H Jagadeesh
H Jagadeesh

Destination Promotion Committee

Partner Associations