Tourist Rush Strains Visakhapatnam During Holidays

Visakhapatnam is seeing a sharp rise in tourist arrivals this holiday season, putting pressure on hotels, transport services, and city roads. Popular attractions such as the glass bridge at Kailashgiri, the Kurusura submarine on Beach Road, and the helicopter museum are drawing large crowds.

Tourists coming from other regions are mainly depending on hotels for accommodation. Those who planned their trips in advance have been able to find rooms, while visitors making last minute plans during the holidays are facing difficulties. Star hotels are charging more than Rs 15,000 per room per day, and hotels along Beach Road are quoting tariffs of at least Rs 20,000. Room rents in standard hotels range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Despite agreeing to these rates, many visitors are unable to get rooms. Government and private guesthouses are also fully booked.

Travel costs have increased due to the tourist rush. Visitors heading to Araku Valley, Paderu, and Lambasinghi are choosing private vehicles as bus services are limited and trains are crowded. The fare for a same day trip to Araku has increased from Rs 8,500 to Rs 10,000. Overnight trips, which earlier cost between Rs 12,000 and Rs 13,000, are now priced at around Rs 15,000.

Traffic congestion has worsened with the festive season and holiday shopping. Areas such as Visalakshi Nagar, Jodugullapalem, Tenneti Park, RK Beach Road, Jagadamba Centre, and Maddilapalem junction are facing long traffic delays, affecting daily travel.

President of the Hotels and Restaurants Association, MV Pawan Karthik, said tourist inflow this year has been high. He said many software professionals are visiting the city with their families during the year end holidays and staying for at least two days. According to him, hotels are expected to remain full, with limited room availability until January 4.