Tourism in Hazarduari palace and Motijheel Destination Park drops due to demonetisation

Tourism in Bengal has taken a beating in favorite tourist spots like the Hazarduari palace and Motijheel Destination Park in Murshidabad due to demonetization.
The Archaeological Survey of India maintains Hazarduari and it has revealed that the number of tourists this November was 40 per cent less than that in October. Similarly in Motijheel Destination Park. This has an artificial spring and clay models apart from a light-and-sound show on the history of Murshidabad. But, footfalls here has halved since November 9 - that was the day after the demonetization drive was announced.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 28 November 2016.

The situation at other tourist hotspots in Santiniketan in Birbhum is also dismal. Hootel bookings in both Murshidabad and Santiniketan had come down drastically as a result of lack of tourists following the cash crunch precipitated by the demonetization.
At Hazarduari (constructed in 1829), old Rs 500 notes are being accepted at the ticket counter, but the number of visitors has not improved. As an official has indicated - there has been a 40 per cent drop in the number of visitors this November in comparison with the figure in October. The ticket price per person at Hazarduari is Rs 15.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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Sambalpur in Odisha sees decline in foreign tourists and loss of revenue

Sambalpur in Odisha is worried about the drastic fall in the number of foreign tourists at the district's travel destinations and it has raised question marks over its consequent impact on the economy. The number of tourists to the district's seven tourist destinations has increased, no doubt, with each passing year but, there has been a sharp decline in the footfall of foreign tourists in that same period.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 24 November 2016.

There are seven identified tourist destinations namely, Sambalpur, Hirakud, Ushakothi, Huma, Chiplima, Gudguda and Kandhara. As per data compiled by the tourism department there has been a constant fall in the number of foreign visitors to these places during the past three years.
In Sambalpur, 374 foreign tourists visited in 2013. The next year, the number fell to 316 and in 2015, it was only 213.
In Hirakud - the figure was 130 foreign tourists in 2013. It fell to 93 in 2014 and 76 in 2015.
Similarly for the leaning temple of Huma - it attracted 68 foreign tourists in 2013, 67 in 2014 and 56 in 2015.
And in Chiplima - there were 86 foreign tourists in 2013, and it went down to 44 in 2014 and 32 in 2015.
The other two tourist destinations - Gudguda and Kandhara - did not attract any foreign tourist during the past three years.
Of course, all these have seen constant increase in the domestic tourist footfall in the past three years.
Various reasons have been put forth on this aspect. One is these is the lack of publicity. Then there are lack of adequate amenities at the tourist destinations and, added to these is the fact that some of the destinations lack good connectivity.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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Shops, malls and cinema halls can now remain open 24X7

The government has cleared a model law that allows shops, malls and cinema halls, among other establishments, to run 24×7 throughout the year. The law will cover establishments that employ 10 or more workers except manufacturing units. It also provides freedom to operate throughout the year with flexibility on timing to open and close.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 30 June 2016.

The law also provides for women to be employed on night shifts with adequate security, and also for better working conditions for employees (like drinking water, canteen, first-aid, lavatory and creche). Moreover, the law will help generate additional employment since shops and establishments will have freedom to operate for longer hours, and will automatically require more manpower.
The Act is expected to bring the online and offline retailers onto a level-playing field and, simultaneously, give a boost to employment opportunities. In the long run, the retail sector in India will benefit from this announcement - there will be more footfalls and consumption and would also have a positive impact on the warehousing and logistics segments.


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