Agra reels under tourist drought

In view of the global economic crisis and the recent spurt in terrorist activities across the country, the hoteliers of Agra are gearing up to face a “slow tourism year” this season.

According to Surendra Sharma, founder president, Agra Hotel and Restaurants Association, the tourism trade of Agra is bound to suffer from the global financial turmoil and terrorism, and the signs of the slowdown in tourism are evident from the fact that almost 80 per cent of rooms in the medium- and budget-class hotels in the city have been running empty at the beginning of the traditional tourism season.

He said there were hardly any tourists staying in the hotels and a large number of bookings had been cancelled in the wake of the recent blasts in major cities.

According to Sharma, the problem faced by the Agra hotel industry was two-fold, related to the low night-stay ratio of tourists compared to those who arrived on a day trip, and the lack of night attractions for tourists that could encourage them to spend a night in Agra.

Despite assurances by the city administration for the opening of a night bazaar to attract tourists, the markets in the town were subject to the mandatory 8 pm closure time. As the markets were closed early, the tourists preferred to either go back to Delhi or extend their trip to Jaipur, instead of “wasting” a night in Agra. This, ultimately, had a negative impact on the hotel trade of the town.

Also, he said, the government had not initiated any projects this year to promote tourism and as a result, the tourist flow had slowed down to a trickle.