The New Noida-Agra Expressway Increases Local Tourism In Agra, But Downs Hotel Business

Online, October 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - With the opening of grand and long Noida-Agra Expressway, there is absolutely no doubt that reaching Agra for the tourists in and around Delhi has become easy. But there is substantial threat to the hotel business in Agra as the hotels continue to show the lowest occupancy till date. Statistics have clearly reveled stupendous fall in the occupancy rates in the hotels as well as guest houses, adversely disturbing the hospitality industry business. Furthermore, the local businesses have also received setback, which otherwise thrived on selling traditional products to tourists.

Figures as collected by Agra circle of the Archaeological Survey of India show that more than 6.94 lakh tourists visited Agra between August 10 and September 10, but despite these large numbers there was almost negligible hotel business during the month. This was put forth by the representatives of the UP Hoteliers and Restaurants Association (UPHRA).

"The number of tourists staying in Agra has plummeted by 40-45 percent and we have notified the state tourism department," said Surendra Jaiswal, president, UPHRA. One of the hoteliers was of the opinion that in tourist month of Sept-Oct, the amount of queries and advance hotel booking has strangely gone down at alarming rates. The hoteliers have witnessed a great plunge in their business and it is clearly an indication that hotel business which once propelled one of the largest chunk of business revenue in the city of Taj Mahal is facing fiercest competition and on the verge of shut down.

"In fact, it is expected from a tourist to spend at least 24 hours when visiting to any tourist destination. The tourists who visit a place and then leave after spending few hours are actually the excursionists. For increasing the revenue generation, it is important that visitors spend some time and move around," stated Prof Manoj Dixit, director, Institute for Tourism Management.

Many local residents think that there are no major attractions in Agra to hold the tourists for longer duration, except the Taj Mahal. Moreover, the whole city sleeps after 7 PM, giving it a completely deserted look. Many people believe that there is an immediate need for rebranding and innovative tourism so that more number of tourists visits Agra, and they should also stay for greater number of days.

Superintending archaeologist, Agra Circle, Navratna Kumar Pathak had a different viewpoint, who said, "Agra has profited from the expressway. The number of tourists has doubled and on weekends and it is quite difficult to find any empty place in city on the weekends." The tourists are going low when it comes to other tourist highlights like Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Rambagh or Mahtabbagh. Whilst, the local gentry has also started feeling that the expressway has turned out to big nightmare for them.

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