Chennai: Weekend getways and festival holidays are making boat houses popular with leisure travellers.
In the past six months, around 27 lakh people have visited the nine boathouses run by the tourism deparment across the state including at Muttukadu and Mudaliarkuppam near Chennai. Weekend footfalls are high as people drive down to these boat houses. In the April-September period, Muttukadu received 1.39 lakh visitors in 2022, which increased to 1.47 lakh in 2023. Mudaliarkuppam received 38,010 visitors in 2022 and 53,303 visitors in 2023 for the same period.
A tourism department official said the number of people visiting the two boathouses is around 30% higher than weekdays. “The crowd was good on Saturday. We are expecting a good number of people to visit this weekend as Monday is also a holiday.” Ooty boathouse tops the list and accounts for a large percentage of the total visitors to boathouses across the state. The trend of people driving down to getaway spots is increasing rather than opting for expensive domestic holidays in faraway tourist destinations. “Muttukadu usually gets the most visitors from the city because it is just an hour’s drive along the ECR. But the footfalls have increased considerably in the last few months in Mudaliarkuppam,” he added. Mudaliarkuppam has also started to get a good number of people from Puducherry because it is closer. The facility to lounge on an island with canopies and viewing decks makes the place attractive for visitors who get an experience that goes beyond boat rides, said an official.
State tourism is also adding facilities at its boat houses in Muttukadu, Mudaliarkuppam, Ooty, Pykara, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Pitchavaram, Courtallam, and Valangulam as part of efforts to improve the experience of tourists. Work is on to set up a floating restaurant at Muttukadu. Tourism minister K Ramachandran held a review meeting recently and urged the officials to complete the infrastructure upgrade work.
We also published the following articles recently
In the past six months, around 27 lakh people have visited the nine boathouses run by the tourism deparment across the state including at Muttukadu and Mudaliarkuppam near Chennai. Weekend footfalls are high as people drive down to these boat houses. In the April-September period, Muttukadu received 1.39 lakh visitors in 2022, which increased to 1.47 lakh in 2023. Mudaliarkuppam received 38,010 visitors in 2022 and 53,303 visitors in 2023 for the same period.
A tourism department official said the number of people visiting the two boathouses is around 30% higher than weekdays. “The crowd was good on Saturday. We are expecting a good number of people to visit this weekend as Monday is also a holiday.” Ooty boathouse tops the list and accounts for a large percentage of the total visitors to boathouses across the state. The trend of people driving down to getaway spots is increasing rather than opting for expensive domestic holidays in faraway tourist destinations. “Muttukadu usually gets the most visitors from the city because it is just an hour’s drive along the ECR. But the footfalls have increased considerably in the last few months in Mudaliarkuppam,” he added. Mudaliarkuppam has also started to get a good number of people from Puducherry because it is closer. The facility to lounge on an island with canopies and viewing decks makes the place attractive for visitors who get an experience that goes beyond boat rides, said an official.
State tourism is also adding facilities at its boat houses in Muttukadu, Mudaliarkuppam, Ooty, Pykara, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Pitchavaram, Courtallam, and Valangulam as part of efforts to improve the experience of tourists. Work is on to set up a floating restaurant at Muttukadu. Tourism minister K Ramachandran held a review meeting recently and urged the officials to complete the infrastructure upgrade work.
We also published the following articles recently
Corbett Tiger Reserve opens for winter tourism, sees rush of visitors
The winter tourism season at Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has begun with the arrival of nearly 400 visitors. The reserve, which boasts the highest tiger population in the country, offers tourists the opportunity to explore four of its zones currently, with the remaining four set to open next month. The reserve has implemented new measures to enhance visitor experience, such as installing scanners at the gate to prevent fraud. Last season, CTR saw 3.5 lakh visitors, contributing approximately Rs 13.5 crore to the state exchequer.
The winter tourism season at Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has begun with the arrival of nearly 400 visitors. The reserve, which boasts the highest tiger population in the country, offers tourists the opportunity to explore four of its zones currently, with the remaining four set to open next month. The reserve has implemented new measures to enhance visitor experience, such as installing scanners at the gate to prevent fraud. Last season, CTR saw 3.5 lakh visitors, contributing approximately Rs 13.5 crore to the state exchequer.
Hastinapur Palace of Pandavas to welcome visitors at Odisha’s Bomikhal
A massive Durga Puja pandal is being constructed in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, which resembles the Hastinapur Palace of the Pandavas. The structure, built by craftsmen from West Bengal, is 120-feet wide and 80-feet high. The interior of the pandal and the Durga idol are also receiving special attention. The organisers are making efforts to ensure that the 60th year of the puja is special and memorable, with facilities being provided for senior citizens and physically challenged individuals. A special food distribution will also take place during the puja.
A massive Durga Puja pandal is being constructed in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, which resembles the Hastinapur Palace of the Pandavas. The structure, built by craftsmen from West Bengal, is 120-feet wide and 80-feet high. The interior of the pandal and the Durga idol are also receiving special attention. The organisers are making efforts to ensure that the 60th year of the puja is special and memorable, with facilities being provided for senior citizens and physically challenged individuals. A special food distribution will also take place during the puja.
Long weekend, festival rush up footfalls at metro stations
The extended weekend and festive season have led to an increase in footfalls at metro stations in Chennai. On Friday, there were 3.6 lakh passengers, and on Thursday, there were 3.4 lakh passengers. The Central metro station had the highest number of passengers at 28,021, followed by Guindy, Thirumangalam, and the airport metro stations. The high footfalls could be attributed to people visiting friends and family during the festive season, as well as many leaving the city for a long weekend. Currently, the metro system sees an average of 2.5 lakh passengers daily.
The extended weekend and festive season have led to an increase in footfalls at metro stations in Chennai. On Friday, there were 3.6 lakh passengers, and on Thursday, there were 3.4 lakh passengers. The Central metro station had the highest number of passengers at 28,021, followed by Guindy, Thirumangalam, and the airport metro stations. The high footfalls could be attributed to people visiting friends and family during the festive season, as well as many leaving the city for a long weekend. Currently, the metro system sees an average of 2.5 lakh passengers daily.
