The year-end holiday season transformed Mysuru into a major tourist hotspot, with its iconic Palace and Zoo drawing massive crowds. Over a span of ten days, these two landmarks collectively welcomed a staggering number of visitors, showcasing the city's undiminished appeal as a premier travel destination in Karnataka.
Record-Breaking Footfall at Heritage Sites
The numbers tell a compelling story of tourist enthusiasm. The Mysuru Palace recorded an impressive 2,11,639 visitors during this festive period. This figure included 1,552 foreign tourists, highlighting the international fame of the royal residence. Not to be outdone, the Mysuru Zoo, one of the country's oldest and most popular zoological gardens, attracted an even larger crowd of 2,27,135 nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Together, the sites saw a combined footfall exceeding 4.38 lakh people, painting a vivid picture of the holiday rush.
New Year Celebrations and Festive Atmosphere
The celebrations peaked as the calendar turned to 2026. To usher in the New Year, the Mysuru Palace Board hosted a special midnight event on Wednesday. The night sky was lit up with a spectacular fireworks display, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the fully illuminated Palace. This visual spectacle, which marked the beginning of the new year at the stroke of midnight, was a key attraction for thousands of revelers gathered to witness the moment.
Implications for Local Tourism and Economy
This enormous influx of visitors during the short holiday window is a strong indicator of robust health for Mysuru's tourism sector. Such high footfall significantly benefits the local economy, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local vendors. The data, current as of January 2, 2026, underscores the city's successful positioning as a must-visit location for both domestic and international tourists during festive breaks. The ability of the city's infrastructure to manage such large crowds while providing a memorable experience is also brought into focus by these numbers.
The sustained popularity of these traditional attractions, coupled with special events like the New Year's fireworks, continues to drive Mysuru's prominence on India's tourism map. The successful season sets a positive tone for the city's travel industry as it moves forward into the new year.
