Hosapete (Ballari dist), May 15(DHNS): The growing trend of the number of visitors to the heritage town of Hampi continues.

Hampi received 3.5 lakh tourists in the financial year 2015-16. The number has been ever growing since 2010-11.

Tourists, including locals and foreigners, flocked the town even in the hot months of February and March, when the temperature touched 40° Celsius.

The various temples and monuments here had a large number of visitors.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) show that of the 3,21,059 tourists, including 23,419 from abroad, visited the architectural marvels by purchasing tickets.

The numbers exclude those below 15 years of age, for whom entry is free.

The high tourist numbers has pushed up the ASI’s revenues. The entry fee alone has brought in Rs 90.3 lakh, including Rs 58 lakh from foreign nationals.

Increase in incomeThe income can go up further in the current financial year as the entry fee to the monuments has been hiked from Rs 15 to Rs 30 per head for the Vijaya Vittala temple, Lotus Mahal and the museum.

The entry fee for foreign nationals is up from Rs 250 to Rs 750 per head. For those from Saarc countries, it is Rs 500.

Prakash Naikanda, deputy superintendent of the Hampi circle of the ASI, said that curbing of the beggars’ menace and improvement in tourist facilities were all instrumental in drawing visitors.

Naikanda said people who used to head to places like Cambodia were now preferring Hampi. 

The safe environs in the heritage town is attracting more people, he said.

Tourist numbersThe usual peak season for tourists to Hampi starts in September and continues till the last week of March. It sees a decline in the months of April and May.

The numbers do not pick up in June as it is the beginning of monsoon. Tourist numbers pick up only in September.