Mysuru: Tourism has taken a severe beating after violence broke out over the Cauvery water issue as the number of tourists visiting the cultural city declined drastically in the last few days.
Normally tourists never return without visiting the famous Amba Vilas Palace and the Mysuru zoo. There was significant increase in the number of visitors during the last two years as the city over took the world renowned Tajmahal in Agra in tourist headcount. But during August and September this year, their numbers declined as only eight foreign tourists visited the palace out of a meagre total of 25 after September 9 when violence broke out over Cauvery water issue.
During August alone, there was a decline of around 46,000 tourists when compared to last year. More than two lakh tourists visited the city palace during September in the previous years where as the figure was less than 70,000 during the first half of this month.
Tourists can visit the palace on all seven days of the week and around 35 lakh tourists visit the famed Mysuru palace every year where student visitors can avail concession.
Even Mysuru Zoo is not spared
On week days around 5000 people visit the zoo and their numbers double during the weekends, where as now there is a decline of 50 per cent during week days and only around 3,000 people visit during weekends.
During festivals like Bakrid around 9,000 people visit the zoo, where as this time it was only 2,000 people.
Tourist economy takes a hit too
Around 2500 rooms’ online bookings have been cancelled in the last few days as nearly 70 per cent tourists from Bengaluru and neighbouring Tamil Nadu have stayed away from the city.
According to Hotel owners association President, C Narayana Gowda, the hotel industry in the city alone has lost around Rs 12 crores during the first half of the month. He demanded compensation from the government as many hotels invested large amounts in refurbishing their existing infrastructure keeping in view the forthcoming festive season to handle the tourist rush.
