Vol. 3, Issue 5, Part B (2017)

Abstract
Heritage tourism plays a significant role to attract tourists in destinations. Heritage Tourism is considered as one sector that shall propel growth, contribute foreign exchange, enhance employability and result in community development. The most important dimension of heritage tourism is the cultural exchange among various nationalities that visit the country and the cross cultural interface that shall pave way for universal peace and harmony. The present paper attempts to summarize the potentials and problems of heritage tourism in Karnataka, which can help in shaping our society. The state has everything to offer to a tourist. In spite of its high potential in heritage tourism product development and tourist infrastructure, Karnataka state has not attracted the maximum number tourists as expected. Therefore the need of the hour is to study the heritage tourism potential of Karnataka and measures for improvement.