Bangalore:
Kodagu district, aptly called the Kashmir of Karnataka and the Switzerland of India, is fast becoming a popular tourist destination with urbanites from various parts of the country making a beeline to this serene hill station surrounded by coffee plantations, where numerous resorts and home stays have mushroomed to cater to the needs of the tourists whose numbers swell during the holidays and weekends.
The pleasant weather, picturesque landscapes and fresh air are a luxury for many of the urban populace who simply look forward to relax in such serene atmosphere, away from the urban hustle-bustle, noise and air pollution.
According to sources in the Tourism Department, the number of tourists visiting Kodagu is higher than those visiting Munnar in Kerala, one of the most popular hill stations of South India. As per the statistics provided by the Karnataka and Kerala Tourism Departments, the number of tourists who visited Kodagu in 2010 was 5,94,467 (including 5,87,216 domestic and 7,251 foreign tourists), which is double that of Munnar which saw 2,45,438 tourists (including 19,690 foreign tourists). Up to Nov. 2011, Kodagu saw a quantitative leap with over 15 lakh visitors.
Tourism officials are thrilled by the prospects of developing Kodagu as a popular tourist destination. The hill district is situated at an elevation of 1,525 metres MSL.
Though the tourist footfall in Munnar has not gone down, the fact that the numbers have swelled significantly in Kodagu has given it the lead, said officials.
Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams –Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala __ and placed about 1,600 metres above sea level, the hill station of Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south India. Marked by vast expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows and waterfalls, Munnar had so far been the ever-green favourite of tourists in sea-rch of a calm and quiet hill station.
source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / January 09th, 2012
