'Make entry to monuments free for foreign tourists'

Entry to historical monuments in India, which are popular on the tourist trails of foreign nationals, should be made free for the time being, a tourism expert said on Wednesday, following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in the country.

"Many have paid a fortune to visit sites like Taj Mahal in India and they have planned their trips at least six months in advance. How will they pay entry fee and other associated expenses after the demonetisation? For the time being, the fee should be waived to allow tourists to experience what they had come for," Gour Kanjilal, executive director of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) told IANS.

With banks and ATMs being shut during the day, Kanjilal said the tourists would be stranded.

"Foreign exchange counters are not accepting the demonetised currencies and the tourists are unable to exchange their money," he observed.

Stressing that the months of November and December are peak season for tourists, Kanjilal reckoned the move will impact the industry.

"Already tourism has taken a hit due to India's negative image. Issues like pollution and terrorism threat have dented India's image. Now, with the currency factor thrown in, the over-a-lakh travellers who visit India each month, will be affected," he added.

On the other hand, demonetisation could turn out to be a boon for the tourism industry if it makes use of the opportunity to attract those with unaccounted money and disposable income to invest in travelling, said tourism industry expert Saurabh Kumar Dixit.

"North east India, which has very rich tourism wealth, may attempt to exploit the opportunity as now people with unaccounted income will try new avenues to spend that money. Tourism industry as a whole may get the advantage of this situation by enticing individuals with such disposable income by offering attractive packages," Dixit of the Department of Tourism & Hotel Management, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, told IANS.

Welcoming the move, Dixit noted the "sudden announcement" is causing panic among tourists and tourism industry operators.

To tide over the temporary hurdles, Dixit advocated co-operation between travel agents, hotels, tourism information centres and transporters with the tourists.

"Though the government is working quite promptly in releasing this pressure by announcing steps such as temporary exemptions of toll charges, it should also declare short term measures for entry fees for monuments/tourist centres and smooth conduct of foreign currency exchange," Dixit remarked.

"I feel with this decision, more money will be pumped into the Indian economy, which will definitely contribute to the tourism industry in the long run," he added.

Many Indian nationals who are to embark on tours next week onwards expressed anger at the sudden decision on social media.

"I have my friends travelling, they are in trouble. I will be going for a tour next week. What will I do if I am allowed to withdraw only 2000 per day. A taxi driver in a hill station won't accept a cheque or may not be aware of mobile banking or net banking or other alternate methods like paytm. Will Modi ji come and take the pain?" posed Gaurav Chakraborti on Facebook.

--IANS

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