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Summer doesn't dampen tourist flow to Jaipur

         Jaipur: Despite the summer heat, Jaipur is witnessing an unprecedented rise in the number of foreign tourist arrivals. Dressed in light cotton clothes, summer hats and carrying water, foreign tourists are braving the summer heat to enjoy the wonders of the 'Pink City'. Most of Northern India is in the grip of a severe heat wave, with Rajasthan recording temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in some places. With the advent of summer, the city normally witnesses a drop in tourist arrivals, but with attractive discounts floated by the hospitality industry, the tourists are finding it hard to ignore the 'City of Palaces'. "Its very nice, very nice, beautiful sunshine, beautiful palaces, museums, all are very good," said Gidigab, a German tourist. The tourists are also relishing local drinks to beat the heat. "Lots of water and lassi (a curd-based cold drink), salted lassi. It's better than any other beverage," said, Dennis, a Canadian tourist.

         Tour operators have made several changes in the tour itinerary to avoid being out in the open during the day time when temperatures are their peak. The tour starts at 7.00 a.m. and tourists return to their hotels by noon. They only step out again in the evening. Tour operators say that proper advertising and schemes offered by foreign travel agents have made the city a year round tourist destination. "Jaipur being the major leisure destination, means we are dependant on foreign inbound travel operators. They are now patronising Rajasthan throughout the year," said, Travel and Tour Operators Association Spokesperson Sanjay Kaushik. With the flow of tourists in summers looking promising, travel pundits are estimating the arrival of 2.5 million tourists in 2007, compared to 1.5 million last year. Rajasthan, home to magnificent palaces, sand dunes, wildlife, and a rich culture, has witnessed a tourism spurt with more than a million foreign and 16 million domestic tourists visiting the State a year ago.
-May 11,  2007