Dasara boost! Mysuru expects 30 per cent more tourists

Mysuru: While the Mysuru Dasara has always been spectacular, the local tourism industry is expecting more tourists to arrive for it this year. The luxury train, the Golden Chariot, which  will bring tourists to the city on September 23 and again on September 29 is almost fully booked, according to Mysuru Deputy  Commissioner D Randeep.

 “We are expecting at least 20 to 30 per cent more domestic and at least 20 per cent more international tourists this year. Over 20 foreign groups are expected for the coming Dasara celebrations,” said Mr Prashanth B S, head of the Mysuru Tourism Forum and Mysuru Travel Agents’ Association. “Eight foreign groups,  including some from France, UK and Canada, have confirmed their bookings.  Three groups are arriving for the last two days, mainly for the Jumbo Savari,” said Mr S J Ashok of the Mysuru Travel Agents’ Association. 

Interestingly, 40 per cent of the over 7,000 hotel rooms in Mysuru are  booked for the Dasara , according to Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association head,   Narayanagowda C.

About 25 per cent of the rooms are booked by domestic tourists and five  per cent by foreign, he reveals. “The rooms for the last two days will be completely booked by the 22nd  of this month. As many as 500 rooms have been booked by the district administration alone for the many artistes, who will perform during the Dasara,” he added.

Meanwhile, helicopter joy rides offering an aerial view of Mysuru for ten minutes for a fee of '2,300 for adults, and '2,200 for children, was launched on Saturday. Aircraft companies Pawan Hans Ltd, and Chipson Aviation Ltd are offering heli-joy rides upto  October 5. Also, as much as 40  per cent of the open jeep rides being offered for the first time, covering a circuit of heritage buildings starting from the Lalit Mahal Palace, and concluding at the Mysuru Palace, are  booked,  reveals  Mr Prashanth, MD of Safe Wheels Group, which is offering the rides.