Surging Covid cases and curbs hit tourism sector in Mysuru

MYSURU: When Mysuru tourism was on the road to recovery, fresh curbs imposed by the government to check the third wave of Covid-19 are again taking a toll on the sector with all the tourist spots closed in the district.
This is unlike the neighbouring districts where tourism activities have been allowed by the tourism department.
Meanwhile, on Day-1 of the weekend curfew, Mysuru was shut while resorts, tiger safaris, and other tourism activities were allowed.This is likely to help Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu, and Chikkamagaluru districts where tourism is not restricted to urban areas, which are closed.
In Mysuru, major tourist destinations such as the Mysuru palace, Mysuru zoo and rail museum, were shut. The city roads wore a deserted look as the KSRTC urban and rural divisions operated fewer buses and only on important routes. Authorities said passenger occupancy was very less and the situation is likely to continue on Sunday.
According to Mysuru District Hotel Owners’ Asociation president C Narayana Gowda, for the last two days, the hotel occupancy rate is below 10%. “Only a handful of tourists are staying back. There are no fresh check-ins,” he said.
BS Prashanth, honorary president of Mysuru Travels Association, said if the tourism department had issued a circular allowing resorts, safaris three days earlier, the situation would have been very different. “Assuming total weekend curfew, many tourists canceled their check ins and tourist plans. The situation reached such a point where all the stakeholders are forced to move out of the business,” he said.
Major temples of the region including Chamundi Hills, MM Hills and Nanjangud saw very low footfalls. Only darshan was allowed and no special poojas were conducted.
Safari activity in forests is allowed during the curfew. The safari at Bandipur attracted a good crowd on Saturday. Authorities said there was no change in the demand for the safari tickets. However, in Nagarahole, tourists did not turn up for safari, said ACFO Gopal.
In Hassan, the tourist flow was down by 10-15% on Saturday. While ASI monuments were closed, those who had booked resorts and home stays have already reached their destinations. They will be leaving on Monday.
As Hassan lies between Chikkamagaluru and Bengaluru, more vehicles move towards Chikkamagaluru, those who take a diversion to Sakleshpur were less in number. Trekkers who wish to carry venture out near Sakleshpur during the weekend, are allowed with the condition that they follow Covid norms.
“Those who want to come in the morning and leave in the evening are not allowed. Considering regular tourists flow, about 10 - 15 % is the reduction due to the restrictions”, said Tourism Deputy Director Sanjay.
Tourism activities were completely stopped in Chikkamagaluru.
In Kodagu, despite vigilant checking in check posts by police, the movement of vehicles and people was not obstructed except those moving around unnecessarily. Police placed barricades in Madikeri to check tourist vehicles coming from other places and after an inquiry, they were allowed.
District homestay association president retired Col Bharath said many tourists who had booked rooms had cancelled immediately after the government announced the curfew. “The tourism department had said tourists who had already booked will be allowed. Despite this, many tourists have cancelled bookings because tourist spots are closed,” he said.