Singer Naveen Sajju and team enthrall audience during 'Ugadi Sangeethotsava'- cultural evening infront of illuminated Mysuru Palace on Monday evening.
Credit: DH Photo
Mysuru: Tourism destinations in Mysuru witnessed good footfall over the past four days from March 29 (Saturday) during the long weekend due to Ugadi and Eid-Ul-Fitr festivities, and holiday for Eid on Monday.
From March 29 to 31, while Mysuru Palace has received 33,487 visitors, Mysuru Zoo has received 26911 visitors. Hoteliers have also witnessed good occupancy on these days.
Mysuru Zoo Executive Director D Rangaswamy said that there were 6,705 visitors to the zoo on Saturday, 10,349 visitors on Sunday and 9857 visitors on Monday. Even as they had opened on Tuesday too, their weekly holiday for the convenience of tourists, they had 8,481 visitors, he said.
Mysuru Palace Board deputy director T S Subramanya informed that there were 9270 visitors to the Palace on Saturday, 13596 visitors on Sunday and 10621 visitors on Monday.
According to Mysuru hotel owners' association, C Narayangowda, while there are about 10,500 rooms in 425 hotels in Mysuru, the occupancy was 80 to 90 per cent on Saturday & Sunday and 60 per cent on Monday & Tuesday. They are expecting tourists' inflow to increase further after the completion of SSLC exams on April 4.
He added that, though milk and curd rates have gone up from April 1, they would slowly increase the cost of coffee and tea by 5 per cent to ensure that there is no burden on tourists, Narayangowda said.
Ugadi sangeethotsava-cultural evenings also saw a good response.
The rise in summer temperature did not deter the tourists. Even though the cost of tender coconut has touched Rs 50, its merchants are seeing a good sale as people, especially tourists are opting them as a safe option to keep themselves hydrated.
"We work in Bengaluru and my in-laws and parents stay in different places. Due to festivities, holidays, we got an opportunity for our family to get together and spend time. A vacation to Mysuru is always on priority. Also, it is comparatively cooler here. So, we decided to come to Mysuru. We even enjoyed a cultural evening by Naveen Sajju infront of illuminated Mysuru Palace on Monday," said Jyothi Girish, a techie from Bengaluru.