Tourists’ footfall falls in December, do does revenue!

Impact of CAA protest

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: From December-February tourist spots in Assam teem with foreign and domestic tourists. However, the usual teeming tourists have been missing this time around in this season, leading to sharp fall in revenue. Courtesy: the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) agitation in the State.

Facts speak for themselves. According to statistics obtained from ATDC (Assam Tourism Development Corporation), the fall in the number of tourists’ footfall in the beginning of the season is drastic. The Corporation made public the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting five monuments in the State in December 2018 and December 2019 (till December 25).

According to ATDC statistics, 20,276 domestic and 157 foreign tourists visited Talatal Ghar in December 2018. However, till December 25, 2019 only 4,995 domestic and 99 foreign tourists visited the site. The situation is no different in case of Ranghar. In December 2018, 14,950 domestic and 136 foreign tourists visited the site against only 3,568 domestic and 90 foreign tourists till December 25, 2019. While 7,003 domestic and 54 foreign tourists visited the Karenghar in December 2018, only 1,814 domestic and 33 foreign tourists visited the site till December 25, 2019.

The same is the situation with Vishnudol. While 1,818 domestic and five foreign tourists visited the site in December 2018, only 343 domestic and 12 foreign tourists visited it till December 25, 2019. Likewise, 5,706 domestic and 21 foreign tourists visited this site in December 2018, only 633 domestic and 28 foreign tourists visited this site till December 25, 2019. The total number of tourists visiting the five sites in December 2018 was 50,126 against only 11,615 tourists till December 25, 2019.

The fall in tourists’ footfall in December has its cascading effects on booking in tourist lodges as well, thereby registering a sharp fall in revenue earning. The total revenue loss in December till December 25, 2019 due to fall in tourists’ footfall is Rs 9,93,300.

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