Pune: Lonavala Prepares for New Year Tourist Rush; Police on High Alert
Lonavala, 27th December 2025: With Christmas holidays underway and New Year celebrations around the corner, the hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala are witnessing a significant surge in tourist footfall. Visitors from Pune, Mumbai, and other states are flocking to the region, driving high demand for hotels, resorts, private bungalows, and homestays.
Tourism plays a key role in Lonavala’s economy, particularly during the year-end festive season. Tourists are drawn to the area to welcome the New Year, enjoy leisure activities, and sample the region’s famous Lonavala chikki. In addition to traditional hotels and resorts, homestays, private bungalows, and tent accommodations are seeing strong bookings.
Popular attractions such as Lion’s Point, Sunset Point at Khandala, and trekking destinations including Rajmachi, Lohagad, Visapur, Tung, and Korigad are attracting both casual tourists and adventure enthusiasts. This has put nearby accommodation facilities in high demand.
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) resort at Karla has reported full bookings until January 1. Resort manager Sahil Bhalerao said special arrangements, including ghazal performances, live orchestras, campfires, magic shows, and children’s games, have been organized for the festive season.
Meanwhile, the Lonavala Rural Police have issued strict instructions to hotel owners, resort operators, and bungalow and camping site managers to ensure safety and compliance during the New Year period. Operators have been directed to maintain tourist records and obtain necessary permissions in line with regulations. Certain routes have been restricted, with heavy vehicles allowed only on designated roads.
According to Al Azhar Contractor, president of the Lonavala Hotels Association, hotel and resort bookings in Lonavala–Khandala are reaching near-full occupancy levels. Homestays, private bungalows, and tent accommodations are also seeing strong demand, and business owners are optimistic that bookings will be completely filled in the coming days.
