Tourist numbers down to half at Taj in peak season, says Archaeological survey of India

AGRA: Following demonetisation, the number of domestic tourists coming to Agra has come down to half. According to Archaeological Survey of India, which manages sale of tickets at the 17th century marble monument, the average sale of tickets in the first week of November was 25,000 per day, which has come down to just about 12,000 post demonetisation.
Besides, budget hotels in the city, most of which do not have swipe machines, have been the worst hit, with only 20% occupancy during the peak tourist season.Last year, it was 80% during this period. Industry players say the extremely low business at this time will have a cascading effect that will be felt all year round.
Rajiv Saxena, secretary, Tourism Guild of Agra, which has owners of five-star hotels and emporiums as its members, said, “Amid reports of numerous hardships being faced by local residents, who would want to take the risk of travelling with family? The truth remains that one cannot wholly rely on e-payment facilities in most Indian cities. Even an Agra native would not be able to commute in the city without cash, let alone tourists.”
Saxena added, “The period between November and January is considered peak tourist season in Agra and rooms used to get booked two months in advance. But today, many good hotels despite offering packages at much cheaper prices are waiting for customers. New enquiries for hotel bookings, too, have fallen drastically. The percentage of enquiries materialising into business, which generally is over 75% during peak season, has come down to just 30-40%.”
Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association president Ramesh Wadhwa said, “Budget tourists, both Indian and foreigners, first come here and then look for an accommodation. Such walk-ins, which used to be in bulk, are rare these days. New arrival of foreign tourists have stopped altogether. We are entertaining only those who booked rooms through online travel portals. Others do not have cash.”
Over 130 of 180 members that Wadhwa’s association has never felt the need to install card swipe facilities at their hotels. “We are trying to get them now. But then it seems banks have a waiting period for these too. They have asked us to approach them after a month or so,” Wadhwa said.
According to bank sources, the demand for card swipe machines has gone up 50 times in Agra since demonetisation, but there is not enough supply to meet the requirement.
Rakesh Chauhan, president of Agra Hotels and Restaurants’ Association, which has 275 members, said, “Foreign tourists do not know how long this crisis will prevail. Domestic tourists have no cash to spend on leisure. We are facing the worst crisis ever.”