VARANASI: Ever since Modis candidature was announced from Varanasi, there has been a flood of enquiries routed to Sharma and his fellow operators. Before the announcement there were about 150 enquiries a day. But a day after Modis name was announced, we received nearly 800 enquiries. A large number of NRIs (non-resident Indians) and PIOs (persons of Indian origin) and even foreigners have confirmed bookings, Sharma said. A New Delhi-Lucknow-Varanasi package for seven days at $1,200 has found many takers from the US, Europe, the Middle East and even Beijing. Sharma said five groups of foreign travelers are arriving from 16 April onwards. Most of the people are interested in witnessing the contest in Varanasi which votes in the last phase and so many groups have confirmed their tour plans but are yet to finalise their dates, he said. The package includes accommodation, meals, local transport, sightseeing at temples and ghats, and visits to party offices besides the chance to attend rallies and meet important leaders, said Sharma. Pre-arranged meetings with politicians and visits to rallies are the big draw, said Sharma, who runs Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd. While foreigners are very curious of how the worlds largest elections are conducted, and have heard a lot about Narendra Modi, whom they want to see, some NRIs are supporters of Modi and want to come to help in the campaign,” said Sharma. We are expecting a big boost to business as polls near, said Gokul Sharma, secretary of the local hotel association. We have received lots of enquiries. Some of them are asking for 10-12 rooms together. After a good wedding season there was expected to be a lull as the heat increases April onwards. But with the electoral contest in Varanasi expected to be among the biggest, we expect to have a great summer ahead. With Varanasi assuming political significance as one of the seats that Narendra Modi will contest, the town is becoming even more of a tourist destination. Among the many visitors expected will be 32 British women, who will be arriving in Varanasi on 19 April to witness what has been touted as the Festival of Democracy. But its BJP prime ministerial candidate Modis decision to stand from the constituency thats drawing the crowds. With Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party likely to be his opponent - hes supposed to make this clear at a March 25 rally -- there is even greater appetite for a ringside seat. A group of travel and tour operators from Gujarat, under the umbrella of Tourism Development Corporation Society, have launched travel packages linked to the electoral spectacle in Varanasi. We launched the Indian election special tour packages at the famous International Tourism Board meet held in Berlin Germany on March 5. It received instant response. There was a lot of enthusiasm for witnessing the spectacle of elections in the worlds largest democracy, said Manish Sharma, chairman of the grouping. economictimes.indiatimes/news/politics-and-nation/varanasi-becoming-tourist-destination-as-the-town-assumes-political-significance/articleshow/32578918.cms
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 19:45:06 +0000
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