Mysuru: Heavy rains and floods have led to a drastic drop in tourist inflow by 50 percent this weekend in Mysuru and a 100 percent drop in Kodagu, according to tourism stake holders.
“Usually tourists flood Mysuru during long weekends and there would be 100 percent occupancy. But this weekend, despite a four-day holiday starting from Friday, the occupancy of hotel rooms was only 50 percent. While 40 percent of the tourists to Mysuru, are usually from other states including 20 percent from Kerala, due to heavy rains, only 10 to 15 percent of the tourists were from other states. However due to heavy discharge of water from Harangi, Kabini and KRS dams, domestic tourists from Mysuru thronged to see the nearby Gaganachukki-Bharachukki falls and Chunchankatte falls, and also visited KRS to see the water gushing out from the crest gates,", said Mysuru hotel owners' association head Mr C Narayangowda.
Usually Mysuru Zoo sees over 5000 tourists per day during week days, and the tourist inflow crosses 20,000 per day during long weekends. There were 4,774 visitors on Friday, 8773 visitors on Saturday and 11488 visitors on Sunday.
"Kodagu has 250 hotels and resorts and 4000 homestays with over 25,000 rooms with over a lakh people dependent on tourism. But last week, due to floods, the tourist inflow dropped by 100 percent. During the season, tourists usually arrive for rafting at Dubaare and to see the outflow of water at Harangi, get a glimpse of Abbe Falls, Irpu falls, Chikli hole, Chalavara falls and the scenic beauty of Maandalpatti, apart from visits to Talacauvery and Bagamandala. It will take at least a month or two for tourists inflow to return to normal. We are planning to request the government to give GST exemption and relief from the various loans we have taken from banks for the next two years", said Nagendra Prasad B R, President, Kodagu district hotels, resorts and restaurants association.
