India News | Raj: Mount Abu Seeing Surge in Tourist Footfalls Due to Lockdown Relaxation, Say Officials

Jaipur, Aug 19 (PTI) Mount Abu, the sole hill station of the desert state of Rajasthan, is witnessing a steady rise in the number of domestic tourists following relaxations in the COVID-19 lockdown, an official said on Wednesday.

Famous for its scenic natural beauty, the hill station situated in Sirohi district has received more than 10,000 tourists after a long gap, the official from the state's tourism department said.

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The destination remains flooded with tourists during the summer season but this year, due to the coronavirus lockdown, there were no tourists.

However, people have again started visiting Mount Abu and the footfalls are gradually rising even during the ongoing monsoon season.

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“The figure of tourists in Mount Abu is rising... Similar trends have been noticed in Udaipur where tourists are exploring short and safe vacations while following safety guidelines,” the official said.

The safety of tourists and locals is the top priority of the state government and guidelines on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 are being strictly adhered to at all monuments, resorts etc., Alok Gupta, Principal secretary of the tourism department, said.

"After missing the entire summer season, people are eager for a getaway. Local tourists are returning in big numbers. While unlocking tourism, the safety of people is our concern," he said.

Gupta said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has instructed the officials to keep public health ahead of all other aspects.

It is due to the consideration of public health and vacation needs that the department is promoting short, safe stays, he said. PTI SDA

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)