World | India
India curbs tourist dollars
Entrance to many local tourist sites is priced in dollars and then converted to rupees, causing authorities to lose money as the dollar slid more than 12 per cent against the rupee.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:02 November 16, 2007
- Image Credit: Reuters
- In an unofficial poll, the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, was chosen as one of this year's seven wonders of the world.
New Delhi: Indian authorities have ruled that tourists visiting the country's monuments must pay at a fixed local rupee rate rather than in dollars.
Entrance to many local tourist sites is priced in dollars and then converted to rupees, causing authorities to lose money as the dollar slid more than 12 per cent against the rupee.
The Ministry of Culture said that the latest move was "to avoid any anomaly on account of falling exchange rates of dollar vis-a-vis rupee and consequent fall in revenues".
The government had fixed a $5 entrance fee for World Heritage sites like the Taj Mahal and $2 for other monuments at a time when the dollar was worth about 50 rupees.
The dollar is now worth around 39 rupees. The new rate for World Heritage Sites is fixed at 250 rupees ($6.50).
Have your say
Do you agree with India's move? Will this have a positive or negative effect on India's tourism? If you are a tourist, will this deter you from visiting India?
Your comments
India would benefit from this move in the long run. However, should the dollar climb up, India should make the necessary switch.
Canute
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 16, 2007, 12:26
Tourists can afford this fee. The most important thing is for India to preserve its art and culture.
Muhammad
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: November 16, 2007, 11:30
I think it is a good move by the Indian authorities, as it will protect the country?s revenue. India can not continue to peg its entrance fees to the devaluing US dollar. Ten years ago, a ticket to see the Taj Mahal would have cost 48 rupees. Now, it is just 39 rupees or a fall of 20 per cent. I do not think there will be any impact on tourism, since the increase is just minimal.
Mahesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 16, 2007, 10:59
I strongly agree with this move. This will never have a negative effect on India's tourism
Ravi
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: November 16, 2007, 10:50
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