Mysuru: Here is some good news for hoteliers who have been complaining about lack of bookings even in peak season. Almost all hotels of all categories within city limits and resorts on the outskirts are seeing a steady increase in bookings since yesterday, the first day of Navaratri.

While yesterday saw an increase of 10 percent in bookings, the numbers touched 40 percent this morning. According to hoteliers, bookings will touch 60 percent by this evening. “We have touched an occupancy rate of 100 percent on Sept. 29 and 30 and we expect the tourists to stay a couple of days more,” said C. Narayanagowda, President of Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association.

There are over 280 lodges in city in all categories (three star and five star) and over 7,000 rooms are available. Most of the tourists have come from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala as Dasara is an extension of their holidays. This year, hoteliers have seen bookings both online, offline and through travel agencies and tour operators.

Hoteliers expect more number of tourists as the State Government has exempted vehicles entering Mysuru from paying entry tax. Every year, there used to be a demand from stakeholders for exempting the entry tax on vehicles from other States to boost tourist arrivals. In a notification issued recently, the Transport Department has exempted the tax from being paid by tourist vehicles from Sept. 9 to Oct. 8.

“Yes. The exemption will encourage more tourists to make use of the benefit. Actually we wanted the State Government to exempt tourist vehicles entering Karnataka from across all States. Here, the government has exempted those vehicles entering Mysuru. Moreover, tourists who come to Mysuru go to nearby destinations including Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru,” said Narayanagowda.