Marking a major moment for India’s experience economy, OneTAC (Tourism, Arts & Culture), the country’s first digital public infrastructure dedicated to tourism, arts, and culture, rolled out its very first Experience Circuit in Udupi at the Bangalore Tech Summit. The launch was attended by Prashant Prakash, Chair of the Karnataka Vision Group on Startups and Partner at Accel, along with Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Karnataka. OneTAC also holds formal endorsement from the Ministry of Tourism under the Incredible India campaign.

At the heart of the Udupi Circuit is a strong network of collaborators. CulKey Foundation leads cultural engagement and ecosystem development; Samhita focuses on livelihoods and community mobilisation; GoodPass brings last-mile discovery and distribution technology; RubiX connects experience entrepreneurs through supplier aggregation; and Paradise Group supports operations, hospitality, and on-ground logistics. Together, they are building a model for community-driven tourism designed to scale across India.

Speaking at the launch, Prashant Prakash said that tourism and culture have the power to drive truly inclusive growth. He noted that OneTAC brings a digital public infrastructure mindset to the sector, giving artisans, creators, and local communities a shared digital backbone where their skills become discoverable, their knowledge verifiable, and their work scalable. According to him, the combination of rich culture and open technology opens a new pathway of opportunity for the state and the country.

The first cohort under the Udupi Experience Circuit includes 20 experience entrepreneurs and service providers. These creators represent six categories of experiences and over 15 curated trails. More circuits and creators will join the platform over the next 180 days as the ecosystem expands across Coastal Karnataka.

Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, added that launching OneTAC in Udupi reflects the state’s commitment to community-led tourism and cultural revival. He shared that OneTAC will work alongside the upcoming Karnataka Centre for Cultural Diplomacy (KCCD), which aims to present Karnataka’s culture from art and heritage to cuisine and folk traditions, on global platforms and strengthen ties with international missions. Together, these initiatives intend to empower cultural entrepreneurs and make Karnataka a globally connected, future-ready tourism hub.

Udupi was chosen as the starting point because of its blend of heritage, natural beauty, and creative energy. The region is rich with temple culture, Daiva traditions, Yakshagana, and folk arts, while also being home to a thriving youth-led ocean community shaped by surfing, scuba diving, and kayaking. Its backwaters, mangroves, and proximity to the Western Ghats add ecological depth, and its coastal cuisine completes the cultural landscape. The strength of Udupi lies in its people, fisherfolk, artists, storytellers, home chefs, naturalists, folk performers, and young innovators who keep the region’s culture alive every day.

Prathima Manohar, Director of GoodPass and Paradise Group, and Co-Curator of the Udupi Circuit, said that the future of tourism will be shaped not only by large businesses but by local creators who keep community identity intact. She highlighted that India needs to create 8 million jobs annually to reach developed economy status, and that real progress will come when opportunities reach the grassroots. According to her, OneTAC is an investment in dignity, livelihoods, and community-led growth — ensuring that local entrepreneurs thrive while cultural richness is preserved.

Guests at the launch had the chance to meet storytellers and creators from across Coastal Karnataka who brought the flavours, rituals, crafts, and landscape of the region to life. Udupi’s culinary identity — from neer dosa and puli munchi to prawn sukka — appeared alongside stories from performers, adventure entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners. The circuits span temple and heritage trails, wilderness and nature experiences, coastal culinary journeys, adventure and ocean culture, wellness traditions, and the soulful world of Tulu Nadu.

OneTAC also announced the OneTAC Impact Fund, a joint effort between the State Government and market partners. The fund aims to help micro experience entrepreneurs grow their operations and expand their livelihood opportunities, beginning with the Udupi cohort and eventually supporting circuits across Karnataka.

Travellers are invited to explore the Udupi Experience Circuit, which brings together culture, cuisine, nature, wellness, and the warmth of local communities. With OneTAC, Udupi becomes a gateway to authentic, immersive journeys rooted deeply in identity and place.

About OneTAC:

OneTAC is India’s national digital public infrastructure for tourism, arts, and culture. It connects creators, communities, institutions, and travellers with the goal of unlocking India’s cultural capital and building sustainable, future-ready livelihoods