In a bold move, the Mysuru Palace Board substantially increased the entry fee for foreign visitors in late October, raising it from Rs 100 to a hefty Rs 1,000. This dramatic price hike ignited a wave of concern amongst tourism stakeholders, who feared it might deter international tourists from visiting this iconic landmark. However, recent data paints a different picture.
The palace board has unveiled statistics that reveal a surprising and positive trend: foreign tourist visits to the palace remain robust, even after the fee increase. From October 25th to 31st, the palace welcomed 952 foreign visitors, a significant jump compared to the 634 visitors recorded during the same period in 2023 and a staggering increase from the 320 visitors in 2022. This trend continued into November, with 899 foreigners visiting between the 1st and 6th, surpassing the 781 visitors in 2023 and the 389 in 2022.
Palace officials attribute this year-on-year surge to the allure of the palace, suggesting that the fee adjustment hasn’t dampened international tourist enthusiasm. The decision to revise the entry fee was driven by GST changes and the inclusion of complimentary services within the palace. While initial resistance from tourism and hospitality stakeholders was expected, the data speaks for itself – the palace’s appeal remains intact for international visitors.
Deputy Director of the Mysore Palace Board, TS Subramanya, reported that foreign visitor numbers to the palace have more than doubled despite the recent fee revision. This unexpected surge in international tourist attendance suggests that the increased charges haven’t deterred interest in this iconic landmark.
The Palace Board’s decision, which raised the entry fee from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 for foreigners, was initially met with skepticism from various tourism stakeholders who worried it might reduce the attraction’s appeal. However, recent data points to a different outcome, with foreign visitor numbers reflecting a strong, ongoing demand for the palace experience.
Despite this positive trend, stakeholders in the tourism industry remain concerned that the fee hike could lead to indirect impacts on the broader tourism sector in Mysore. Some believe that while the iconic palace continues to draw international tourists, the increased cost may affect the length of their stays, spending on other local attractions, or engagement with smaller tourism ventures in the area.
While the palace remains a major draw, these stakeholders argue that the broader implications of the fee increase on Mysore’s hospitality and tourism economy will require close monitoring to assess its full impact.
