KEA to build dragon boat pond to woo tourists

Animated dragon statue which emits fire & smoke to be imported from China; likely to be a good evening attraction

- B K Lakshmikantha @Mysuru

Every year, lakhs of tourists visit the historical and cultural landmarks of Mysuru city. However, a majority prefer to stay overnight at nearby hill stations such as Kodagu, and Ooty in Tamil Nadu, or destinations in Kerala. To encourage tourists to spend the night in the heritage city itself, the Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) has launched an ambitious plan to build a Dragon Boat Pond, inspired by the famous Dragon Boat Pond in China.

The project aims to attract visitors to stay longer and enjoy new activities in Mysuru. Despite iconic attractions like Mysuru Palace, Mysuru Zoo, Chamundi Hill, and other prominent sites, most tourists only spend the day sightseeing before moving on to hill stations for the night. This trend has not only hampered tourism revenue but also affected local businesses, with stakeholders demanding more nightlife and evening entertainment to retain visitors.