Leisure tourism peaks during Dasara festival, says state government

HYDERABAD: Leisure tourism, which peaked during Dasara holidays, has resulted in double the normal holiday bookings. According to Telangana Tourism officials, several families took a break from their busy schedule to explore newer places, especially those closer to them.

With Covid-19 restrictions having been removed, people are keen on visiting tourist spots for relaxation. Hotels and resorts of the state tourism as well private ones, guest houses and lodges have been reporting 80 per cent occupancy. In fact most people are going less to explore and more to relax.

The daily revenue from boating at Nagarjunasagar is around `1 lakh.

“However, the dam gates are open, the trip from Nagarjunasagar to Srisailam is put on hold. This would have increased revenue,” said the boating in-charge at the place. Popular spots are Somasila, Ramappa temple which was recently declared a World Heritage site, Laknavaram lake and Eegalapenta.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Manohar Rao, managing director of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation, said, “Tourism has boomed in the state because of the festival. Mir Alam tank is generating `30,000 each day, Durgam Charu `1 lakh while it is somewhere between `7 lakh and 10 lakh from boating at Hussainsagar.”

S. Rajashekar, curator of Nehru Zoological park, `said, “The zoo is having around 20,000 every day, which is quite remarkable. There are a lot of new attractions that are attracting more visitors.”