Tourism takes a hit in ASR agencies amid election fever, hot weather

Visakhapatnam: The tourism season in Andhra Pradesh is having a slow start this year, with visitor numbers at popular destinations like the Araku Valley and Borra Caves falling significantly compared to last year.

Hospitality sources attribute the drop to a combination of factors like the elections, extreme heat and unexpected rainfall.

Appala Naidu, manager at Lambasingi in Araku Valley, told Deccan Chronicle that the usual daily footfall of 10,000 visitors has plummeted to just 500. "People are hesitant because of the heat, but the weather here is pleasant and cool," he said.

Over at the Borra Caves, manager Gowri Shankar said visitor numbers were down by nearly half compared to last year. "We're getting 1,500 to 2,000 people per day and our revenue has dropped from the usual `30 lakh at this time of year to around `20 lakh," he revealed.

However, the beaches of Visakhapatnam have been a major beneficiary of the slump in visitors to inland attractions. The city's coastline has been packed with tourists, especially in the evenings and on weekends. Traffic jams have become a common occurrence as people flock to the seaside.

A GVMC official said they have taken several steps to manage the increase in crowds. "Last year, we deployed six beach cleaning machines. We've also stationed lifeguards at various points along the beach to ensure the safety of visitors," the official said.

The picturesque tourist spots of Visakhapatnam, including Kailasgiri, Bheemili and Thotlakonda are experiencing a surge in attention from travellers, with a notable influx coming from the neighbouring states of Odisha and West Bengal.