Jaipur: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with their family members, arrived in Ranthambore on Tuesday amid a sharp surge in tourist footfall across Rajasthan ahead of the New Year, reflecting a strong revival of travel across the state’s heritage, wildlife and religious destinations.

Ranthambore, located in Sawai Madhopur district and renowned for its tiger reserve and rich biodiversity, continues to be one of Rajasthan’s most sought-after tourist spots. The arrival of the Gandhi family coincided with peak travel season, as thousands of visitors from across India and abroad thronged the state to celebrate the New Year.

Tourist hotspots witness heavy crowds

The New Year rush has been reported across several major destinations, including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur and prominent religious centres. Officials and tourism stakeholders said footfall has increased sharply since Christmas, with many destinations reporting record numbers.

According to officials from the Jaisalmer tourism department, the desert city has witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists this season. The historic Sonar Fort has remained crowded throughout the day, while Sam Sand Dunes have seen large gatherings of domestic and foreign visitors enjoying desert safaris, cultural programmes and New Year events at camps.

Hotels booked, tariffs surge

Tourism professionals across the state have reported near-total occupancy in hotels, resorts and heritage properties. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, a tourist guide from Udaipur, said hotels in the lake city have been fully booked since Christmas.

“Room tariffs have increased three to four times compared to normal rates,” he said, adding that popular attractions such as Pichola Lake boating, Karni Mata ropeway, City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari and Sajjangarh Fort have witnessed long queues. Traffic congestion has also been reported in Udaipur’s old city areas due to the heavy rush.

Similar trends were seen in Jaipur, where heritage monuments recorded massive footfall. Data from the archaeology department showed that on Monday alone, 18,203 visitors toured the Amer Palace, while Hawa Mahal attracted 16,807 visitors. Jantar Mantar saw 14,865 tourists, Nahargarh Fort 9,320 and the Albert Hall Museum 7,941 visitors.

“All tourist destinations in the Pink City have been overcrowded since Saturday,” said Pooja Rathore, a tour guide based in Jaipur.

Rising numbers in Jodhpur and wildlife reserves

In Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort has seen daily visitors double to between 6,000 and 7,000, compared to the usual 2,500–3,000, according to tour operator Sanjay Koushik. He also noted that Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar has all safari slots booked until January 5, indicating strong demand for wildlife tourism.

Ranthambore itself has remained heavily booked, with safari slots filling up quickly as tourists hope to spot tigers during the winter season.

Religious centres draw devotees

Alongside leisure travel, religious tourism has also surged during the festive period. Temples such as Khatushyamji in Sikar, Salasar Balaji in Churu, Mehandipur Balaji in Dausa and Sanwalia Seth in Chittorgarh have received several times higher crowds than usual.

In Jaipur, special arrangements have been made at prominent temples, including Moti Dungri Ganesh temple and Govind Devji temple, to manage the influx of devotees on January 1.

Tourists feel the pinch

With demand outstripping supply, many tourists have complained of steeply rising room tariffs. Pramod Chaudhary, a visitor from Jaipur who travelled to Jaisalmer with his family, said finding accommodation was difficult.

“I somehow managed to get a normal room for ₹10,000 per day, which is nearly six to seven times higher than the usual rate,” he said.

Tour operators confirmed that New Year rates in the luxury segment have risen by 20 to 25 per cent. Many hotels and resorts have organised special New Year events, including DJ nights, cultural performances and themed celebrations, to attract guests.

Safety and traffic measures in place

To manage the surge in visitors, authorities have enforced traffic diversions in Jaipur and other cities. As part of a road safety initiative, Jaipur Police has mandated hotels, restaurants and bars to issue pink slips with bills carrying the message “Do not drive after drinking”.

Hotels have also been directed to display awareness posters and appoint nodal officers to coordinate with the police during New Year celebrations.

Conclusion

With political leaders, domestic travellers and foreign tourists converging on Rajasthan, the state is witnessing one of its busiest New Year seasons in recent years. While the tourism boom has boosted the local economy, authorities remain focused on crowd management, safety and smooth travel as celebrations usher in the New Year.