Rajasthan tourism feels the pinch of new tourist destinations cropping up

Rajasthan tourism is getting affected by the new tourist destinations that are cropping up regularly because every state wants to grab a cut of pie of tourism. New tourist destinations and circuits are spoiling Rajasthan's share of foreign tourists and the state is now ranked in fifth spot in foreign tourist visits (FTVs) even though it is linked to golden triangle which attracts 35% to 40% of tourist inflow.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 4 December 2015.

With arrival of 15.2 lakh foreign tourists, Rajasthan had 6.76% of country's share of total FTVs in 2014. In absolute figures, there has been an increase of about 88,412 foreign tourists over the previous (2013) where it was 14.3 lakhs. But percentage wise, it fell from 7.20% to 6.76% in the same period.
UP has nearly double inflow of foreign tourists with more than 29 lakh FTVs while Delhi received 2.31 lakhs tourists in 2014.
Tamil Nadu tops the chart, followed by Maharashtra. Other states particularly in the south are now attracting foreign tourists in a big way.
Tamil Nadu has the advantage of tourists coming from South East Asia because of better connectivity with other countries. Rajasthan, unfortunately, is missing out on a lot on Asian tourists. Obviously, there is need to improve the infrastructure, particularly air connectivity , in order to to promote tourism in the state.
Agra-Varanasi-Khajuraho is now giving tough competition to Golden Triangle that connects Jaipur with Agra and Delhi.

Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Palace On Wheels to get a new lease of life with a Gujarat link

The Palace on Wheels used to be a prestigious train for foreign tourists coming to India because while on board this luxurious train, one could feel like a Maharaja. It is a part of Rajasthan tourism but, of late, it was not able to attract tourists. Hence, it has been rented out to a firm in Ahmedabad and the Palace would now originate from Gujarat.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 3 June 2015.

The train will now be seen in an Indian avatar – it will be converted to host board meetings, product launches apart from marriage parties on the move. The new version would provide a new experience to the travelers.
A Gujarat-based travel company has concluded an agreement with the Rajasthan state tourism department and Indian Railways to bring the Palace on Wheels to Gujarat. The company would run the train, which includes finalizing its itinerary as per bookings.
The Palace on Wheels would make a new beginning in August when it would carry its first marriage party on board. The train has been booked initially for a year. The itinerary would be as per the needs of the clientele. The tentative plan is to begin from Ahmedabad, and head to Udaipur, Jaipur, Savai Madhavpur, Delhi and, finally, to Agra. There are also plans to host dinner for the passengers on the lawns near Taj Mahal, subject to permission being granted.
The company has indicated that even though the train will originate from Ahmedabad, it would have to market Rajasthan state tourism and, therefore, the guests would be booked into hotels run by the Rajasthan tourism department. (Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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