Mangaluru: The travel, tourism, and food industry in Mangaluru is witnessing an early and robust revival this December, with stakeholders reporting surging bookings, packed event calendars, and travel activity that has returned to — and in some cases exceeded — pre-pandemic levels. Hoteliers, homestay operators, beachside resorts, and event organisers say the upswing began unusually early this year, with momentum visible from mid-November rather than the last two weeks of December, when the festive rush traditionally begins.
The industry attributes this early surge to a combination of Christmas holidays, New Year celebrations, and an exceptionally busy wedding season spanning all communities. With non-resident Indians returning to their hometowns for functions and year-end festivities, demand for accommodation and event venues has skyrocketed across the district.
Hotels and resorts report full bookings
Hospitality players in the city have expressed optimism as the sector sees strong footfall after months of sluggish business caused by unpredictable weather and reduced domestic travel.
BN Girish, vice-president of The Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru, said the 2023–24 season has started far earlier than expected. “This season is filled with a lot of weddings from all communities and other social gatherings, which started in November itself. Both of our properties in the city are booked completely till the first week of January. It is similar to our event venues,” he said.
Even properties located on the outskirts are experiencing encouraging demand. Resorts that typically see bookings only close to Christmas have reported that rooms are being filled much earlier this year.
Prasad Karkera of Sampige Resort in Moodbidri said their property has seen a surprising surge in enquiries despite its location far from the central city. “We began receiving bookings last week with the start of destination weddings. From the start of Christmas, all our 36-room properties are booked as of now. Apart from guests attending destination weddings, our other clientele include NRIs who are flying home to celebrate Christmas and other social events,” he said.
Beachside resorts and homestays see revival
Resorts near Panambur, Sasihithlu, and Someshwar have also reported an uptick after a six-month lull. Heavy rains during and after summer had dampened tourism, causing occupancy to fall sharply between June and early November.
Lakshmish Bhandary of Le Sparrow Beach Resort near Panambur Beach said tourism began improving from the second week of November. “There was a dip in tourism for about six months, but we are seeing steady improvement. More tourists are now visiting Mangaluru. We are expecting positive outcomes in the coming days,” he said. However, he added that Moudya days beginning in the second week of December could temporarily slow down weddings and social events, though overall prospects remain strong.
Homestays, budget lodges, and coastal cottages are also filling up faster than usual. Operators who typically rely on last-minute bookings said enquiries have doubled compared to the same period last year.
Weddings and festive travel drive industry growth
The wedding season is one of the strongest contributors to the current revival. With weddings scheduled back-to-back throughout December and extending into January, venues across the city — including banquet halls, open-air courts, church halls, and community centres — are witnessing near-full occupancy.
Event managers say the month is packed with functions, and many families who missed hosting celebrations during the pandemic years are now opting for large-scale events. Caterers, decorators, DJs, and transportation providers have all reported increased business.
Travel agencies have also noticed a rise in booking queries from NRIs and domestic tourists, particularly those visiting Mangaluru as part of a coastal Karnataka holiday circuit covering Udupi, Malpe, and Bekal.
Food industry gains traction after slow monsoon months
Restaurants and cafes, which experienced reduced business during prolonged monsoon showers, are now seeing increased footfall. Coastal cuisine restaurants, rooftop dining spaces, and beachside eateries report that December weekends are already witnessing waiting queues.
Hoteliers believe that the combination of holiday gatherings, tourist inflow, and wedding-related dining is driving the surge. With many events opting for elaborate food spreads and catering services, demand for skilled staff, seasonal workers, and speciality chefs has also risen.
A promising season ahead
Industry stakeholders remain hopeful that the rebound will continue through January, especially with New Year celebrations, family reunions, and winter travel trends gaining popularity. The early spike in bookings, they say, is an encouraging sign that tourism and hospitality in Mangaluru are firmly on the path to recovery.
While some anticipate minor dips during religious observances such as Moudya, the overall outlook is positive, and businesses are preparing to handle one of their busiest seasons in recent years.