Rise in footfalls at heritage monuments increase hopes of tourism industry; Around 50K tourists visited in 15 days

Aurangabad, July 7:

The cheers prevailed on the faces of tourism professionals and they pinned hope of revival of the tourism industry following the increase in footfalls of domestic and foreign visitors at the heritage monuments in the district in the last fortnight of June. The heritage monuments re-opened on June 16.

Around 50K visitors in 15 days

There are six ticketed monuments in the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI, Aurangabad Circle). Out of which, five are in the district. They are world heritage Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, Taj of Deccan - Bibi ka Maqbara, Adarsh Smarak Daulatabad Fort, and Aurangabad Caves. According to ASI sources, " In a span of 15 days (June 16 to 30), a total of 49,735 tourists visited these places. The ASI collected a revenue of Rs 14.94 lakh against the booking

of entry tickets at the five monuments.

20 foreign visitors

Adds the ASI sources, " A total of 20 foreign nationals had visited three monuments in the above 15 days period. Of which, 13 visited Bibi ka Maqbara, six at Ellora Caves and one at Aurangabad Caves. The ASI collected revenue of Rs 7,800 through entry tickets at the monuments. The entry ticket charge at Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves are Rs 40 each for domestic tourist and Rs 600 each for international tourist; Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara is Rs 25 each

for domestic tourist and Rs 300 each for international tourist."

Hope for the revival of tourism industry: ATDF

The president of Aurangabad Tourism Development Forum (ATDF) Jaswant Singh said, " The arrivals of domestic and regional tourists have been increasing in the last few weeks. This has indeed increased our hopes of a revival. Presently the tourists could visit monuments till 4 pm and above all, they are closed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). This is preventing the domestic tourists from visiting our place. It may be noted that a large number of tourists prefer to visit on weekends and the rush of visitors at sight-seeing and hill stations in and around Pune and Mumbai are its best examples.

Hence, if the restrictions are lifted, monuments are kept open regularly and the lockdown is not implemented then we could hope for stability and a speedy revival of the tourism industry. We also hope the Shirdi temple gets re-open soon as it will also help attract domestic tourists from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as a direct flight to Hyderabad has been resumed recently."

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We are contributing our best: ASI

The superintending archaeologist (ASI, Aurangabad Circle) Milan Kumar Chauley said, " The ticketed and other heritage monuments in our jurisdiction got re-opened from June 16. We had cleaned up all the campuses of monuments using our workforce and developed hygienic and friendly environment on the campus of each monument. All SOPs and precautionary measures are being taken by our team and their heads. Our team members just check the online entry tickets at the monument and in a very decent way reminds the tourists about wearing of masks, maintain distance in group and from other groups, etc while on campus. We are glad to see cheers prevailing on the faces of tourists while visiting heritage sites and monuments or leaving the place. We as a team are on toes to welcome the tourists and will continue the same and hope the situation continues to remain safe and healthy for the visitors and all in future as well."

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Name of Monument Indian Visitors Foreign Visitors Total Revenue (through entry tickets)

Bibi ka Maqbara 17,341 13 4,37,425

Ellora Caves 12,156 06 4,89,840

Daulatabad Fort 10,818 -- 2,70,450

Aurangabad Caves 5,271 01 1,32,075

Ajanta Caves 4,129 -- 1,65,160

Pandav Lena Caves 3,849 -- 96,225

(Nasik)

Total 53,564 20 15,91,175