Author: Rajan Mahan
Publication: NDTV
Date: November 22, 2004
URL: http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Record+turnout+of+tourists+at+Pushkar&id=64008
Its welcome news for India's tourism
industry.
The Pushkar Fair that has kicked off
in Rajasthan is set to break all records of tourist arrivals.
Due to the tragedy of 9/11, Indo-Pak
tensions, the Iraq war and the SARS threat, tourists had stayed away from
this fair for the past three years.
But now they are back with a vengeance
and seem captivated by the charm of Pushkar.
"The camels, the colours, the people
and the food everything is wonderful here. Its a fantastic experience," says
a tourist from UK.
Target achieved
Billed as the world's biggest cattle
fair, Pushkar is now attracting over 10,000 tourists for the first time.
"Its the real India here and that is
what is so good about this fair. We have had a great time in Rajasthan visiting
forts and palaces. But this is where the people are and that makes this really
interesting for us," says a tourist from USA.
And the tourism industry estimate of
over 35 lakh tourist arrivals in India this year, now seems set to be achieved.
Tourism booms
From shopkeepers and local craftsmen
to hoteliers, everyone is thrilled by the large turnout of tourists. There
is hardly a vacant room in the 130 big and small hotels here.
And the travel trade, which regards tourist
arrivals at Pushkar as an indicator for the entire season, is clearly delighted.
"There are a lot more tourists coming in
this time. In fact we are feeling a lack of infrastructure now as all the
hotels and tents are fully booked in Pushkar," says Madhuvanti Singh, Director,
Taj Resorts, Pushkar.
In the first two days, over 5,000 tourists
have poured into Pushkar though only 2,000 had come in for the entire week
of this fair last year. http://www.pushkar-fair.net/
With tourists and locals mixing freely, Pushkar
is currently a fascinating fusion of east and west.
And as every hotel and resort here gets choc-a-block
with guests, Rajasthan now seems
set for a booming tourist season.
