Not So Incredible India After Demonetisation? Many Foreigners Put Their Trips On Hold After Note Ban

Shortage of valid currency notes has forced several international clients, both corporates and tourists, to either cancel their plans or put them on hold, sources in the travel and hospitality industry have said.

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The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) said that they have registered 20% cancellations in bookings by foreigners after demonetisation in Maharashtra.

Pune-based Daya Sudama, a government tour guide said, in November seven foreign tourists ¡ª both corporate as well as those who halt in Pune as a transit location ¡ª from Canada and Brazil cancelled their plans. "Two others have cancelled their plans for December.

ALSO READ: Demonetisation Has Pissed Off Russian Envoy. He Says He Doesn't Have Cash For A Decent Dinner.

AP

International clients travelling to the city have been complaining about how they have been unable to arrange enough liquid cash for travel. Foreign travellers also have to pay an additional charge on the payment card used," said Sudama. "Foreigners prefer to have liquid cash in hand while travelling as they prefer visiting traditional markets instead of malls where plastic money can easily be used." She said that for a month now she has not received any tourists.

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Dilip Datwani, president of HRAWI, said "This period is the peak tourist season, when the state sees a surge in both Indian and foreign tourists. However, bookings have been hit after demonetisation."

Ajit Patil, proprietor of Landmaster Holidays, said, "Foreigners need to pay in cash at certain places, for instance at monuments. As per company rules, we have to arrange for cash for such payments on behalf of our clients but it has been quite difficult to do so at the eleventh hour. About five to 10 groups of foreigners planning to come to the city from Germany and UK have now put their trips on hold."

Philippa Kaye, from England, said that four of her friends who were planning to travel to India have decided not to come. "Those who are here are already planning to leave," she said.

Reuters

Arvind Jaiswal, manager at Caper Travel Company Private Limited, which caters to inbound tourism from 16 countries, said, "Foreign tourists who have already returned to their countries from India have gone with a bad impression due to the currency crunch. We did receive a few requests for cancellations from foreigners, who had booked earlier, but somehow we managed to keep their plans intact."