This Dasara, Mysuru witnessed a record turnout of tourists. Stakeholders described the season as rewarding for the tourism industry that had been awaiting a good season following the lacklustre turnout of previous years.
A whopping 33,301 people visited Mysuru zoo, a major tourist destination, on Vijayadashami (October 19) alone, realising gate revenue of ₹25.40 lakh. If the statistics of tourist footfall at the zoo were considered, the overall turnout during this year’s Dasara was the highest. In a span of ten days – October 10 to October 19 – 1.53 lakh people visited the zoo. It earned ₹1.05 crore as gate revenue from the visits.
If the visits from 2015 to 2018 were taken into consideration, the number was highest, said the zoo executive director. In 2015 and 2016, 1.25 lakh tourists and 1.24 lakh tourists visited the zoo during Dasara, earning a revenue of ₹69.11 lakh and ₹70.53 lakh respectively. In 2017, 1.23 lakh people visited the zoo and the gate collection then was ₹69.17 lakh.
If the visits on Ayudha Puja are looked at, the turnout was also promising. A total of 22,398 people visited the zoo on Ayudha Puja (October 18) while the footfall last year on the same day was 15,449. In 2015 and 2016, 22,926 and 26,191 people visited the zoo on Ayudha Puja days.
With regard to the visitors on Vijayadashami, the turnout was more than last year. Last year, 31,722 people visited the zoo on Vijayadashami day. The turnout this year was 32,301. In 2015 and 2016, the turnout on Vijayadashami was 28,587 and 25,504 respectively.
Describing the season as reasonably good, giving a much-needed impetus to the tourism sector, stakeholders attributed the large turnout to the variety of events planned as part of the festivities and also the events before the celebrations that gave a momentum to the Nada Habba.
Mysuru has the potential to garner even more number of tourists if promotions are done at least two months in advance. This can also help in attracting more foreign tourists who were lower in number this year,” said B.S. Prashanth, president, Mysuru Travels Association. He added that the district administration and Tourism Department successfully organised the events.
Mr. Prashanth had requested the district administration and Minister for Tourism S.R. Mahesh for an extension of the special illumination of the city till the end of this month. However, the illumination, which was another prominent draw among events, concluded on Sunday. It was supposed to end on Friday but was extended for two days, keeping in view of the tourist flow.
