It was the weekend many were awaiting for. Several popular tourist destinations in Karnataka had started putting up ‘houseful’ boards weeks before the long weekend that culminates on Independence Day. Travel agents and tour operators say though an Independence Day holiday is typically a busy time for them, this year has seen a marked interest among visitors.
Those looking for a quick getaway are taking advantage of the freedom from work beginning with a holiday for the Varamahalakshmi festival on Friday, followed by the weekend and Independence Day on Monday. Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hampi are said to be the preferred destinations. Sanjar Imam, president of Karnataka Tourism Forum, said accommodation was sold out by the beginning of July. “Otherwise, we do see bookings even in August. Some people are driving out to places as far as Goa, which is 10 hours by road from Bengaluru,” he added.
Navin Poonacha from the Coorg Homestay Association said people were coming from Bengaluru, Mysuru and Chennai, though Kodagu district was seeing ‘heavy traffic’ from Kerala as well.
With brand new options for accommodation coming up in Hampi and Sakleshpur, traffic to these two places is picking up, travel agents say.
Some regular travellers are setting out on longer expeditions than they usually do. One of them is Mustaq Ahmed, who will be biking to Kodaikanal with three friends instead of the shorter rides to places like Kolar.
Kerala losing out?
Restriction on liquor coupled with a hike in entry taxes for commercial vehicles from Karnataka are said to be causing a ‘negative trend’ in travel to Kerala. M. Ravi of Arjun Tours and Travels Private Ltd. spoke of a 10 to 15 per cent drop in bookings of commercial vehicles to Kerala in the context of a long weekend.
_______________________________________________________
Popular spots
Chikkamagaluru
Hampi
Kodagu
Sakleshpur
Nagarahole, Bandipur national parks
__________________________________________________________
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – August 13th, 2016
