Tourists to feel the heat as rates in Ooty hit new high
Are you among those who plan a holiday tour to Ooty along with your family this summer. Then carry a big purse and a few ‘plastic cards’ as most hotels and cottages have jacked up the rates of both stay and food.
Private and government hotels have doubled their room rents. Hotel Tamil Nadu operated by TTDC (Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation) has increased the rent from Rs 810 to Rs 1,620 for an ordinary double room, `960 to Rs 1,920 for a deluxe room and Rs 1,380 to Rs 2,760 for a cottage.
Sources said that Hotel Tamil Nadu, which has 62 rooms, is getting good bookings. There will be a huge demand for rooms in Hotel Tamil Nadu after mid-April.
Similarly, Cooperative Guest House has also doubled the room rent. The rent has been hiked from `825 to `1,440. The minimum rent in private hotels is Rs 2000 and the maximum is Rs 3000.
Even the minimum rent in cottages which have mushroomed everywhere is `3,000. However, private hotels and cottages may demand up to Rs 5,000 or Rs 7,000 based on the rush in May.
Last year during Flower Show, even the rent in Star hotels was Rs 5,500 here, cottage and hotels had charged up to Rs 7,000 due to non-availability of rooms.
Garden Fee Hiked
This year, the tourists have to pay double fee to visit Government Botanical Garden, Government Rose Garden in Ooty and Sim’s Park in Coonoor, all under the control of Horticulture Department, as the gate fee has been doubled with effect from February 1 this year.
The entry/gate fee for all horticultural gardens has been increased to `30 from `15 per adult and from `5 to `5 per child. Similarly, fee for camera and video camera has been enhanced from `30 to `50 and from `50 to `100 respectively.
Food Price on Rise
The cost of a meal ranges between `50 and `100. Tea is sold at `8 for locals and `10 for tourists. Messes and roadside hotels seem to be the best option for the average tourist families.
Race to Start Late
Usually, Ooty Horse Race would commence on April 14, the Tamil New Year Day, and conclude by mid-June. This year, the prestigious Ooty race is likely to be postponed to May.