As schools close for mid-year holidays and festivals approach, October and November have become popular months for travel among people in Bengaluru. Many are heading to Mysuru and nearby areas to enjoy the famous Dasara celebrations. Others are flying to destinations like Bangkok and Dubai for extended getaways.
Local tour operators report a high demand for travel packages, especially those lasting four days and five nights or even ten days and nine nights. “Families and couples are showing great interest in these packages. Tours to places like Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Dharmasthala, and Sringeri are popular, along with trips to Mysuru, Ooty, and Kodagu. Many travelers are also visiting Tamil Nadu and Kerala,” said Imran from Prestige Holidays Tours and Travel on Residency Road.
According to Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, there has been a 20% increase in bookings from Bengaluru compared to last year. “We expect this positive trend to continue,” he added.
The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) has also noticed more travelers this year. Officials reported that many of their properties are fully booked for the upcoming weeks. “From October 2 until the first week of November, almost all our properties are at full capacity. Since the pandemic, people have realized they want to spend their money on travel. They are exploring various places and enjoying themselves,” stated Mahesh Babu, General Manager (Admin) of KSTDC.
Popular destinations in South Karnataka for KSTDC packages include Mysuru, KRS, Bandipur, Barachukki, Jog Falls, Belur, and Halebidu. In the northern part of the state, places like Kamalapura, Vijayapura, Hampi, and Badami are also attracting more tourists.
International Travel Trends
A recent report by Make My Trip, titled “How India Travels Abroad,” highlights that Karnataka ranks second in the number of searches for international travel destinations. The most searched locations by people in Karnataka include the UAE, Thailand, and the USA. The state also ranks high for spending on premium hotel bookings.
Tour operators confirm this trend, noting a significant number of bookings for international travel this month. “Bengaluru residents are traveling abroad more often than before. The top destinations for them are Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. We have seen about a 10% increase in outbound travel from Bengaluru, indicating a growing interest in international tourism,” remarked Mr. Pittie.
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