Tourism hits a new low in Rajasthan

Jaipur, May 9 (UNI) Tourism in Rajasthan has received a severe setback due to the intense heat wave conditions in the state with temperature rising over 44 degrees Celsius.

Sources in the hotel industry and tourist department reported a 40 per cent decline in the tourist arrival in the state.

People in the tourist industry say while some international tourists continue to come as most of them are unaware about the abnormal heat conditions here, domestic tourists are not willing to even touch the state.

''There is an absolute lull in months of May and June. As the hottest months pass, some domestic tourists come over to Jaipur to spend their weekends. But for now, there are no weekend guests,'' says a city tour operator.

With scorching sun beating down relentlessly, roads, shops and tourist sites lie deserted. Most shopkeepers near the Hawa Mahal and City Palace sit idle with hardly a few tourists trickling in the whole day.

''Our sales have gone down drastically. Even the tourists who dare to come in, don't venture out to the markets until the sun is down,'' says a handicraft shopkeeper near Badi Chaupar in the walled city.

Meanwhile, the state government has ordered closure of schools from May 11 in view of the intense heat wave.

UNI RRT HS HT1450