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Bad gatekeeping
Tour operators have recently protested against the government's decision to raise ticket prices for Indian and foreign tourists alike, fearing loss of business. The entry fee for 14 World Heritage sites has been raised from Rs 5 to Rs 10 for Indians and pegged at $ 10 for foreigners, while for other monuments the prices have been fixed at Rs 5 and $ 5 respectively. It is hard to see that tourists will shun these monuments for that price tag: they pay such prices everywhere and indeed are prepared to, provided the sum goes towards their decent upkeep. The move to raise prices is a good idea. The point is whether the money will produce well maintained treasures. In part, the very low ticket prices have contributed to their decline, both by not leaving enough money for their upkeep and by attracting "tourists" who need a place to pass the time of day more than take in a historical site. Much higher entry fees may be in order to instill a degree of respect for the sites and seriousness about visiting them.This is hardly to say that all those who cannot afford a high ticket price are riff-raff, but there is nothing like putting a price tag on something to focus minds on its value. A realistic ticket price is a good instrument to ensure both that the genuinely interested tourist is attracted and some of the riff-raff discouraged, the reduced presence of which would be a much needed relief to the other category. "Serious" tourists who cannot afford to pay a high fee should be accommodated by having an `open day' once a week when everyone has free entry. The decision to charge separate rates from foreigners and Indians may be justified in terms of capacity to pay but hardly seems fair. And it involves other issues. Has the `foreigner' been defined? Is he the white- skinned, blonde and blue-eyed tourist? If so, he is easily visible. But what about the Bangladeshi or the Pakistani or the Nepalese, all of whom share features with Indians? The list can go on, but the point remains - how to distinguish between Indians and foreigners? Are the authorities planning on passport checks or will they let some foreigners slip through? That would surely defeat the point. But then again, maybe only white tourists are meant to be targeted. Not much concern for racial correctness there, is there? Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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