Deficit in number of foreign tourists in Jaisalmer

 

Jaisalmer. The ‘Golden City’ is witnessing a drop in number of foreign tourists this season which may affect tourism business even as there is a spurt in number of domestic visitors here.

Jaisalmer Tourist Officer Mr. Khemendra Singh Jam said that Tourism season has started on a good note as the arrival of tourists has been quite high during the last few days which are the peak time.

Tourism Business Person Vikram Singh Nachana said that the number of French tourists is usually high, but this time it is quite low. Turnout of British tourists are also low.

“Decline in the number of foreigners is set to affect business because they spend a lot on purchasing handicrafts, carpets and other items compared to domestic tourists,” he said.

“Global issues like terrorism as well as economic factors may be the major reason behind the decline in number of foreigners this year,” Mr. Singh added.

Of late, the ‘Golden City’ of Jaisalmer has turned into a tourist hub, with people, mostly domestic, visiting Heritage sites like Golden Fort, Patwa Haveli, Nathmal Haveli, Salam Singh Haveli along with Sam Sand Dunes.

Tarun Chouhan who runs a hotel inside Fort said, “The number of tourists is at its peak these days since most of them prefer to celebrate new year’s eve on sand dunes here. But it is not likely to remain the same after that.”

Tourism season in Rajasthan, famous mainly for forts and palaces, starts in October and continues till April, during which lakhs of tourists visit Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Udaipur.