Bangalore: Amid soaring temperatures in Karnataka, Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has experienced its lowest tourist turnout in a decade. According to data from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Hosapete, MS Divakar, the site typically welcomes around 5,000 visitors daily. However, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius, this number has plummeted to approximately 150 tourists on weekends and only a few dozen on weekdays. Divakar expressed concern over the impact on local livelihoods, particularly for vendors and small businesses, stating that rain is desperately needed to alleviate the situation.

In January of this year, Hampi saw around 25,000 visitors daily, with nearly 15 lakh tourists attending the three-day Hampi Utsav. However, the ongoing intense heatwave in Karnataka, coupled with a significant decrease in rainfall, has led to the current decline in tourist numbers. Locals have also voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of tourist facilities in the area, emphasizing the urgent need for hotels near the Hampi temple to accommodate working-class visitors.

The hotel industry in the region has been severely affected by the drop in tourist arrivals, with occupancy rates plummeting to as low as 30 percent. The owner of a prominent hotel in Hosapete lamented the dire situation, revealing that out of 200 rooms, only about 30 are being occupied. Despite the challenges, he chose to remain anonymous while sharing his concerns about the significant decline in business.

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