11th October 2023

To All Members,

Dear Friends,

Sub: Regarding Exorbitant increase for Elephant Safari at Amer Fort.

As you are aware, Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan has exorbitantly increased the charges for the Elephant Safari at Amer Fort without any notice. IATO has taken up the matter with the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan with copy to  Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment, & Climate Change, Government of Rajasthan and Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of Rajasthan (placed below)and we have requested the following:

1.         To rationalise this increase from to Rs. 1100 to maximum Rs. 1500/- which we can justify to our foreign counterparts.

2.         However, if Government is adamant to increase the Safari Charges to Rs. 3500/-, it can be done w.e.f. 1st April 2024 so that our members can send their revised quotations to their foreign tour operators according to the new elephant safari charges. It will then be the decision of the foreign tour operators whether to add elephant rides at Amer Fort in their itineraries or skip this monument totally. 

Our Chapter Chairman/Co-Chairman of Rajasthan are in touch with the concerned officials in Rajasthan Government and we shall update you in case if there is any positive outcome on our request.

Thanking you and with best regards,

10th October 2023

Respected Madam

Sub: Regarding Exorbitant increase for Elephant Safari at Amer Fort.

I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of utmost concern regarding a recent decision made by the Rajasthan Government Forest Department Authorities, which is going to deeply affect our travel  trade business,

The Forest Department of Rajasthan has exorbitantly increased the charges for the elephant safari at Amer Fort with immediate effect for the foreign tourists without any notice even for a day. The increase has been made from Rs. 1100/- to Rs. 3500/- which is more than 300 percent and is very shocking. This increase will not be accepted by the foreign tour operators, who have already signed contract with our members based on the quotations submitted with them 6 to 9 months in advance and our members can’t afford to pay the increased fee from their own funds.

The hike for the foreign tourists is over 300 percent and the decision in increase has been taken without consulting the Rajasthan Tourism Department and the stakeholders in the tourism industry.

One of the basic requirements for any industry to flourish, is a long term and stable policy. Arbitrary and ad-hoc policy changes and flip-flops are damaging and detrimental to the health of that industry. Any major policy change like a steep price hike needs to include stakeholder consultation. From our partners in Rajasthan, we believe that the key process of stakeholder consultation was entirely ignored, and overlooked. A stakeholder consultation for major decisions like this are not only necessary but vital tool in long term planning of conservation. The flow of tourism into any state adversely effects the communities that surround them. Less tourism results in less jobs and more unemployment leading to deforestation, poaching for bush meat, etc.

As you are aware, Tourism is an economic activity which generates local employment and brings revenue to the state. This helps in development of state economy and infrastructure. If tourists’ inflow is decreased due to exorbitant hike in government charges, it shall have negative impact as tourists will opt to visit other states and may avoid visiting Madhya Pradesh.

Madam, it is our humble request to consider the following:-

3.         To rationalise this increase from to Rs. 1100 to maximum Rs. 1500/- which we can justify to our foreign counterparts.

4.         However, if Government is adamant to increase the Safari Charges to Rs. 3500/-, it can be done w.e.f. 1st April 2024 so that our members can send their revised quotations to their foreign tour operators according to the new elephant safari charges. It will then be the decision of the foreign tour operators whether to add elephant rides at Amer Fort in their itineraries or skip this monument totally. 

Madam, we need your help to support the industry, which is in the revival mode after the Covid-19

Thanking you in anticipation and with best regards,

Sincerely,

Copy to:

Mrs. V. Vidyavathi, IAS, Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Mr. Shikhar Agrawal, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment, & Climate Change, Government of Rajasthan

Ms. Gayatri Rathore, IAS, Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of Rajasthan