The Hindu : Front Page : Holiday season brings cheer to tourism sector

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Sunday, Dec 27, 2009
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Holiday season brings cheer to tourism sector

Sharath S. Srivatsa

Most hotels and resorts in popular places booked out

— File PHOto

Beckoning visitors: The Gumbaz at Srirangapatna near Mysore. The tourism industry, which was severely affected by the recession, has picked up this season.

BANGALORE: If you haven’t already booked your tickets and accommodation, don’t even think of travelling out of the city to usher in the New Year.

Most hotels and resorts at popular tourist spots in Karnataka as well as neighbouring Ooty in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala are booked out till January 2, thanks to increased tourist traffic aided by the long week-end and extended holiday declared by many companies.

“This has been the best period for the tourism industry after the recession and swine flu scare affected it over the last one-and-a-half years. People are travelling as long holidays have preceded New Year celebrations,” Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) spokesperson H.T. Ratnakar told The Hindu.

All 18 KSTDC hotels across the State are full, and most of the bookings were made over a fortnight ago. Similarly, 12 hotels managed by Jungle Lodges and Resorts are also booked out.

“We have deployed additional buses to meet the demand. North Karnataka destinations such as Hampi have been receiving a large number of tourists. The pilgrim centres in coastal areas are also teeming with tourists,” Mr. Ratnakar said. Tourists are finding it difficult to secure decent accommodation in places such as Madikeri, Chikmagalur, Gokarna and Murudeshwar. Families who are heading to places such as Kukke Subramanya, Dharmasthala, Udupi, Kollur and Sringeri are also finding it difficult to secure accommodation, H.B. Subramanya of Sri Balaji Travels said. Terming the rush this season as “unprecedented”, Karnataka Tourism Forum member M. Ravi said that it had been the best season so far. He said that tourist taxis and light vehicles were not available for hire till January 3. Tourist vehicles in Bangalore, Mysore and other places are completely booked out. I am not taking any fresh bookings, as it would not be possible to meet the demand,” he said. Securing accommodation is a problem also in places such as Kumarakom and Munnar in Kerala. The industry, which was severely affected by recession, had picked up this season, he added.

Make hay while the sun shines is the axiom many resorts and hotels are going by. “The tariff at a decent homestay which usually costs Rs. 2,000 a night is now between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 3,500,” Mr. Subramanya said.

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