Thursday, December 26, 2024 Mysuru experiences a festive tourism boom this Christmas and New Year season, reminiscent of the bustling crowds during the Dasara celebrations in October. Hotels across the region are reporting full occupancy through January 1, 2025, signaling a strong revival for the local tourism industry after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools and colleges on a Christmas break, the surge in tourist arrivals has infused optimism among tourism and hospitality stakeholders.
Over 425 hotels in Mysuru, offering 10,500 rooms, are fully booked, while premium accommodations, including luxury resorts, jungle lodges, and properties run by the state forest department, have achieved 100% occupancy as the year draws to a close. Hotels, serviced apartments, and homestays along the Outer Ring Road are fully booked. The Mysuru Palace Board’s 10-day winter festival, featuring a flower show and cultural programs, has drawn large crowds to attractions such as Mysuru Palace, Mysuru Zoo, Karanji Lake, Dasara Exhibition, and iconic religious sites like Chamundi Hills, Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram, and St.
Philomena’s Church. This influx of tourists has caused traffic bottlenecks in the central business district, especially around Hardinge Circle and K R Circle, both located near Mysuru Palace. Nearby pilgrim destinations, including Nanjangud, Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple in Gundlupet, and Malemahadeshwara Hills, as well as popular tourist sites like Somanathap.