BENGALURU: Weekend vacation demand is picking up, especially in Malnad districts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga, after the state opened its doors to domestic visitors last month. Homestays and resorts here have witnessed 40% occupancy on weekends since, says the state tourism ministry.
The numbers are also picking up in Uttara Kannada and Ballari where there are a large number of resorts and homestays.
People who are wary of visiting crowded destinations are driving down to these scenic locales in their own cars instead. Heritage sites such as Hampi, Pattadkal and Badami, major waterfalls like Jog, Mekedatu and Hogenakkal; Bandipur, Nagarahole, Gokarna and Maravanthe are witnessing decent footfalls.
Safety measures & lower tariffs encouraging tourists’
Though the department takes a month or two to collate footfall data and visitors’ arrival figures, tourism minister CT Ravi, who hails from Chikkamagaluru, said recovery is under way, thanks to the movement from Bengaluru which is the main source market for the region.
“Homestays and resorts, which are safer options for tourists, are seeing upto 40% occupancy on weekends. People are more optimistic and well-informed now and are ready to go on holidays toplaces that have put in place safety protocols,” he said.
“In the first 15 days of August, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru received 20,000 tourists, increasing to 50,000 in August 15-30. We expect the destination to cross 1-lakh mark in September which would be one-third of the 3 lakh tourists that Malnad used to receive before the outbreak. There is a long way to go, but green shoots are visible,” said a tourism department official.
“Occupancy has been good in the last two weekends. People are a little fearless and willing to travel,” said Ravi Chengappa, a homestay owner in Madikeri, adding: “Measures like ensuring hygiene and lower tariffs are encouraging them to go out.” While homestays and resorts on the outskirts are getting more leisure bookings, city hotels have occupancy of 10-15%.
The numbers are also picking up in Uttara Kannada and Ballari where there are a large number of resorts and homestays.
People who are wary of visiting crowded destinations are driving down to these scenic locales in their own cars instead. Heritage sites such as Hampi, Pattadkal and Badami, major waterfalls like Jog, Mekedatu and Hogenakkal; Bandipur, Nagarahole, Gokarna and Maravanthe are witnessing decent footfalls.
Safety measures & lower tariffs encouraging tourists’
Though the department takes a month or two to collate footfall data and visitors’ arrival figures, tourism minister CT Ravi, who hails from Chikkamagaluru, said recovery is under way, thanks to the movement from Bengaluru which is the main source market for the region.
“Homestays and resorts, which are safer options for tourists, are seeing upto 40% occupancy on weekends. People are more optimistic and well-informed now and are ready to go on holidays toplaces that have put in place safety protocols,” he said.
“In the first 15 days of August, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru received 20,000 tourists, increasing to 50,000 in August 15-30. We expect the destination to cross 1-lakh mark in September which would be one-third of the 3 lakh tourists that Malnad used to receive before the outbreak. There is a long way to go, but green shoots are visible,” said a tourism department official.
“Occupancy has been good in the last two weekends. People are a little fearless and willing to travel,” said Ravi Chengappa, a homestay owner in Madikeri, adding: “Measures like ensuring hygiene and lower tariffs are encouraging them to go out.” While homestays and resorts on the outskirts are getting more leisure bookings, city hotels have occupancy of 10-15%.
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