Persistent rains not deterring tourists from flocking to N Andhra

Visakhapatnam:Despite persistent rainfall in the port of Visakhapatnam and the surrounding agency areas, tourist destinations are continuing to witness substantial footfalls, owing to the holidays because of Christmas and New Year.

Popular attractions are reporting a good number of visitors, while hotels have high occupancy rates.

At the renowned Borra Caves, manager Gowri Shankar reports a significant uptick in visitors. “While last week saw minimal crowds, we are receiving 5,000–6,000 visitors daily from the past three days, despite continuous rainfall. We anticipate even larger crowds, as we approach Christmas and New Year,” he disclosed.

The situation is similar at Lambasingi, where manager Appala Naidu confirmed approximately 15,000 daily visitors over the past three days. “Due to adverse weather conditions, we have restricted the entry of vehicles. Still, visitors are reaching the viewpoints on foot. We are taking all necessary safety measures though,” he stated.

Vijay Mohan of Holiday World Tours and Travels attributed the fully booked accommodations to the ongoing wedding season, rather than purely tourist influx. “Three-star and four-star hotels are facing challenges. Day tourists from nearby areas visit the attractions, but don’t stay overnight,” he pointed out.

A hotel owner on the Beach Road, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported full bookings from December 22 to January 2, with another busy period expected from January 10–18. This trend appears consistent across many hotels in the area.

The city’s tourist attractions continue to draw visitors, with notable crowds along the Beach Road. Popular places, including the Kailasgiri ropeway, sky-cycling, zip-lining adventures, submarine tours and museums are continuing to attract visitors. Temple visits are also up, with increased devotees flocking to Sagar Nagar Venkateswara Swamy, Simhachalam and Kanaka Mahalaxmi temples.

Crowds are only going to increase with events like Flee and Glea markets, upcoming musical concerts, and the city’s oldest churches illuminated for Christmas celebrations.