JOIN USThe number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Karnataka this summer has witnessed a steep fall. Thanks to the rising mercury and depleting levels at water bodies.
Tourists are preferring north and north eastern states and countries such as Bhutan, which are relatively cooler than Karnataka and are witnessing rains. Karnataka's preferred tourist destinations such as Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Bandipur, Nagarahole and Kali tiger reserves and Mekedatu, Sangama and Muthatti on the banks of Cauvery have seen lesser tourist footfall in the past few months.
“This season water levels are low. Weather is another draw back. This time there are more locals on day trips and not many from other areas,” said Rajanna, a forest department official at Dubare. Kodagu and Dubare are popular destinations because of their wilderness and weather.
It is a similar situation at tourist destinations dotting Cauvery and Kali rivers. Talacauvery and surrounding areas are popular for trekking and temple tours. Since water levels have dropped, tourists and trekkers are also less, according to Kumar, a tourism department official at Talacauvery.
Vineet Jain, a Bengalurean, said: “During summer holidays, I take my family for water sports in Karnataka and a trip to a hill station. But this year it is Ladakh as Chikkamagaluru and even Ooty are also hot,”said.
Sanjay J from Makemytrip India Private Limited, said that compared to last year, tourists are preferring Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and even Bhutan this season instead of the preferred destinations in Karnataka.
Ainapura, booking officer at Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Badami House, Bengaluru, said that compared to the previous year, the overall bookings are less this year to destinations in south India though people are preferring Munnar and Tekri in Kerala. Lesser people were heading to Ooty and Kodaikanal. Short tours to Kodagu are being preferred.
Sarvani M, an official from Holiday World said that after Simla, Kulu and Manali, Anadaman water sports was ther most popular.