Incredible India! Foreign Visitors Facing the Brunt of Demonetization….
Incredible India! Foreign Tourist Facing the Brunt of Demonetization of Rs 500/1000 banknotes
Mangaluru: While on one hand India is promoting tourism by advertising India as “Incredible India” welcoming foreigners to our land- and on the other hand India which is “impossible to believe (Incredible)” has put these foreign tourists in hardships moving around the Indian cities due to lack of Indian currency made available- indeed “Incredible India??. Seems like these foreigners are at a wrong place (India) at a wrong time (during PM Modi’s sudden ban on Rs 500/1000 currency notes).
The demonetize of 500 and 1,000 banknotes has adversely affected the travel plans of several tourists who have already landed into Goa. With currency of these denominations becoming virtually useless and replacements being scarce, many holidaymakers have encountered difficulties in paying for the accommodation and meals. “At a lot of places, hotels and restaurants have put up notices stating that payments in 500 and 1,000 notes will not be accepted. Many are accepting this currency only on the condition of the customer making purchases of equivalent values,” Becky from Israel rued.
Among many Indian tourists, Foreign tourists are the worst hit. Commercial establishments in the vicinity of Calangute beach have been making the most of the opportunity by coaxing them to purchase gifts and souvenirs in return for lower denomination notes. Using the lack of computerization to their advantage, these shop owners have also begun registering their current sales under previous records. One could witness tourists dashing from one shop to another to get some legitimate change. Stores selling essential items have begun refusing tourists and is denting the image of the state. In the meantime, Goa taxi drivers have decided to accept the currency to alleviate the plight of such tourists.
While a majority of holidaymakers have shared their discomfort following the announcement, many are ready to cope with the situation, hoping it is temporary, but not this couple, Jeremy and Susan, from Canada who have been in India for the last one week. Speaking to me, while I was traveling from Mangaluru to Madgaon, they said, ” We just boarded this train in Tiruvanthpuram. Getting change to pay for the taxi and also to but tickets was hard. Of the last four days, we have spent most of our time standing in the line at ATM to get the required amount, but unfortunately many a times these ATMs run out of money. We wanted to stay longer, but we have decided to go back after spending a day in Goa. We can’t handle this stress, this ridiculous- Indian tourism officials should have made some appropriate arrangements for foreign tourists on this currency issues”.
Yet another Russian tourist said, “The situation has improved with the opening of ATMs. We came prepared but encountered some problems nonetheless. I think everyone has to sacrifice a bit as the move is in the nation’s interest. Some hoteliers, however, are co-operating with us by accepting notes of 500 and 1,000, but many don’t accept these bills. Even it has been hard to exchange our money at money exchange vendors. They are also cheating us by giving us less the face value of the exchange rates”
At Calangute Beach resort, a aged British couple speaking to Team Mangalorean said “Arriving on the morning of the November 10, and being in Delhi, we found that we were not able to get any money. The hotel had all its cash taken away and as a result they couldn’t give us small denominations, which is difficult when you are a tourist walking around and you need public convenience and you want to give tips; we couldn’t do any of that. Foreign tourists, including us visiting Taj Mahal in Agra, were caught off guard as ticket counters refused to accept their 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, and groups of foreigners were seen chipping in with change to buy tickets. We also couldn’t buy a ticket because the ticket counter told me that 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee notes do not work here. I don’t know how, but I cannot find a way in India”.
“The situation without any Indian money at all was very difficult. People were understanding, and even in some places, they took British pounds from us in order to be able to get over this problem. But, it really is quiet a difficulty. We are entirely reliable on credit cards. Because it’s another day, and now we are in Goa, we find that there are ATMs open…I am hoping that things will get easier. It’s been a nuisance, we can only use credit cards and debit cards,” they added.
Most foreign tourists were also unaware of the government decision and its intricacies. They also faced a problem exchanging currency as with both banks and Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) shut; there was an acute shortage of 100 rupee notes. All this inconveniences was due to the surprise announcement, when the Centre withdrew the two of its largest currency notes in a bid to flush out money hidden from the taxman.