JAIPUR: The number of tourists visiting museums and monuments in Jaipur has risen 50% in October compared to September. But the growth in footfalls at tourist landmarks in the rest of Rajasthan has only increased marginally.
According to senior tourist officials, most of the visitors were local people and footfalls were higher compared to other locations as Jaipur is the most happening place in the state.
In October, eight monuments in Pink City, including the most popular Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall and Nahargarh, received 85,390 tourists against 56,931 in September, higher by 28,459 visitors.
Since these eight tourist spots opened on June 1 after the lockdown was lifted, they have received 2.11 lakh visitors, collectively and cumulatively.
Mugdha Sinha, secretary (art and culture), said, “Our footfalls are increasing month-on-month even in these difficult times as monuments continue to serve as a safe option for unwinding.”
“A visit to these places can always refresh, entertain and heal people,” Sinha added.
On the other hand, 28 state monuments, museums, other locations of tourist interest in Rajasthan, excluding Jaipur, have received only 29,378 visitors in October, an increase of 1,474 tourists compared to 27,904 in September. Collectively, all of them have been visited by 82,343 people since June 1.
Commenting on the higher number of visitors at Jaipur’s monuments and museums, Pankaj Dharendra, superintendent of Amber Fort, said the activity levels in Jaipur were higher than any other city in the state.
“First, the monuments in Jaipur are very popular. Also, it’s a city which has a lot of floating population and is keen to go to these spots. Being the capital of the state, it has certain advantages which other locations don’t have,” he said.
Of the total 2.93 lakh tourists since June 1, most of them were local. Senior officials at other monuments said that the pick up in domestic tourism would give a boost to these numbers.