As the long weekend for Independence Day approaches, Rajasthan’s iconic tourist destinations are witnessing a massive influx of visitors. With a strategic combination of the national holiday on August 15 and an extended break through Rakshabandhan on August 19, the state is experiencing a four-fold increase in domestic tourism compared to last year. Major attractions like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Mount Abu are bustling with activity as travelers seek to make the most of the extended holiday.
Surge in Footfall at Major Tourist Hubs
This significant rise in tourist numbers has led to near full occupancy at hotels across key destinations. This year’s Independence Day holiday, falling on a Thursday, has encouraged people to take leave on Friday, thereby creating a five-day long weekend ideal for travel. As a result, those who planned their trips and made prior accommodation bookings are the ones enjoying their vacations without any hassles.
Religious Tourism on the Rise
In addition to leisure tourism, Rajasthan is also seeing a substantial increase in religious tourism. Devotees are flocking to prominent religious sites like the Khatu Shyam Temple, Salasar Temple, and Ajmer Dargah. As it is the time of savan, there is a lot of people travelling to famous shiv mandir via walking rides which has caused a lot of inconvience for the locals going to their respective offices and homes. Harsh Gattani from Jaipur, one of the daily traveller on the Queens road, Vaishali Nagar shared his experience as he had to travel 3 kilometers extra and had to face a lot of traffic because of roads closed for the devotees of Jharkhand Mahadev. These locations are drawing large crowds, contributing to the overall surge in tourist numbers.
Challenges Faced by Tourists
The overwhelming number of visitors has brought about certain challenges, particularly concerning traffic and transportation. Sanjay Kaushik, a veteran in the travel industry, discussed these issues with our editor. He pointed out that the city’s traffic and parking systems are often overwhelmed during peak tourist seasons, festivals, and holidays. Those traveling in personal vehicles face significant traffic snarls, often having to rely on e-rickshaws or other public transport for intra-city travel.
Proposed Solutions for Overtourism
To mitigate the impact of overtourism and ensure a smoother experience for both tourists and locals, several strategies can be implemented:
- Traffic Management: During peak periods such as the Diwali and Teej festivals, as well as the Independence Day long weekend, the government should issue traffic advisories and implement temporary traffic control measures. For instance, making the route from Ramgadh Street to Amer Fort one-way during high-traffic times could alleviate congestion.
- Improved Transportation Links: While major tourist attractions have robust transport links, many lesser-known yet significant spots lack adequate conveyance facilities. Enhancing transportation infrastructure to these areas would distribute tourist traffic more evenly across the state, reducing pressure on the most popular sites.
With these measures, Rajasthan can better accommodate the influx of tourists, ensuring a more enjoyable and seamless travel experience during the Independence Day long weekend and beyond.