Mangaluru: The coastal towns of Mangaluru and Udupi are experiencing a massive influx of tourists ahead of the New Year, with beaches and temples drawing visitors from across Karnataka and other parts of the country. On Sunday, most temples, including Dharmasthala Shri Manjunatha Temple, Kukke Shri Subrahmanya Temple, Udupi Shri Krishna Mutt, Mahatobara Mangaladevi Temple, and others, are witnessing a large number of devotees. Devotees started arriving in the early hours of the day.Popular beachfront destinations are reporting record footfall since Dec 25. According to Lakshmish Bhandary, managing director of Bhandary Builders and partner, Kadali Beach Tourism Development, the average daily footfall at Panambur Beach surged to 10,000–12,000 since Dec 25. “On Christmas Day, the beach recorded a footfall of over 20,000 visitors, and the numbers rose sharply since then,” he said.To cater to the growing demand, Panambur Beach is also increasing its investments and expanding its infrastructure. Over the past three years, the company invested Rs 12 crore, and it is planning to invest another Rs 10–12 crore in the coming months. The proposed expansion includes 30 additional rooms, a spa, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and enhanced visitor amenities.Adding to the attraction, a food court with nearly 40 outlets, with a strong focus on hygiene and quality, is expected to become operational within the next 20 days.Adventure and water sports are also seeing unprecedented demand during the holiday rush. “We are operating at full capacity. Parasailing, jet skiing, floating bridge activities, and the double swing are the most sought-after attractions, while zip cycling and zip surfing are also gaining popularity,” Bhandary said.The five newly introduced beachfront rooms are fully booked until the New Year. Additional lifeguards have also been deployed to deal with the rush. Priority is on beach hygiene and beach safety, he added.
