TBM Staff - Mumbai Mysuru, Karnataka, has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourism during the first half of the 2024-25 season, surpassing all expectations.
With over a million tourists flocking to the city between April and June, this period has already outpaced last year’s record-breaking numbers.
Stakeholders are optimistic about Mysuru’s potential as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, urging government support for further promotion.
According to the Mysuru Palace Board, tourist arrivals have soared, with more than 2.4 lakh visitors recorded by June 20 alone. May proved exceptionally busy, welcoming 5.32 lakh tourists despite the scorching temperatures. April saw over 2.92 lakh visitors, contributing to an impressive total exceeding 1 million arrivals this year.
The projected growth indicates that Mysuru is on track to set a new benchmark of 4 million tourist arrivals, surpassing the previous peak of 3.86 million in 2017-18. This milestone marks significant progress from earlier years, where it took over 15 years to bridge the gap from 3 million to the projected 4-million-mark since 2012.
Hospitality sector representatives, including C. Narayana Gowda, noted a substantial increase in hotel occupancy rates, reaching 50% on weekdays and 100% on weekends. This marks a significant rise compared to occupancy rates a decade ago, underscoring Mysuru’s growing popularity among both leisure and business travelers.
Recognising the potential of Mysuru as a MICE destination, stakeholders emphasise the need for state-of-the-art convention centers. Discussions are underway to utilize existing spaces like the Exhibition Ground for this purpose, aiming to attract more trade and commerce activities to complement the city’s traditional tourist attractions such as the Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hills, and Brindavan Gardens.
With plans underway for new luxury hospitality establishments, Mysuru’s tourism sector looks set to continue its upward trajectory, bolstered by strategic initiatives aimed at diversifying and expanding its appeal to a global audience.
