Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Sep 26: With the Dakshina Kannada district administration easing Covid-19 restrictions with positivity rate falling well below 2 percent, tourism is once again picking up in the district.

For months, tourism in the district was badly hit, as was the case throughout the country during the first and second waves of coronavirus pandemic. Now with restrictions easing and lockdown being lifted, except for the night curfew, people who were confined to homes are enthusiastically taking up travel again.

Interestingly, there is a rise in people travelling by private jets to tourist spots in the district. For those who can afford it, the mode of travel ensures not only social distancing, but also flexibility.

On Sunday September 26 as many 13 individuals of a family in Pune arrived at Mangaluru airport in a private jet for a visit to various tourism spots in the district. The jet arrived at around 11.30 am, and officials of the tourism department welcomed the tourists.

It is learnt that the tourists will visit Savirakambada (Thousand Pillar) Basadi in Moodbidri, and temples at Karkala, Kateel, Bappanadu, Dharamasthala, Kukke Subramanya. They will travel to Madikeri on Monday September 27.

Speaking to daijiworld, Yathish Baikampady, former CEO of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project said, "This is not the first time that tourists are coming to Mangaluru in their private jets. However, of late, this trend has gained popularity, and it needs to be publicised as well. People need to know that tourists are visiting the district in their private jets. Today, the tourism department welcomed them. Tourism has already picked up. From two months guest houses are occupied. Life is back to normal."