LUCKNOW: An overnight tourist visiting Varanasi spends Rs 3,272 per night against an expenditure of Rs 1,567 incurred by a tourist who spends a day in the holy city, shows a report on tourism and its impact on local economy in Varanasi by Ahmedabad-based Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) released days before this high-profile constituency goes to vote on June 1.
While the expenditure for an overnight tourist is the highest for puja (29%) and accommodation (28%), the day tourist spends majority on shopping (27%) followed by local tour package and transport (19% each). As many as 69% tourists stay in Kashi for two or three nights.
Based on the feedback from 9,449 overnight tourists, and 2,983 day tourists, the report shows a gross local expenditure of Rs 21,598 crore (by overnight and day tourists) in 2023.
Most Kashi Vishwanath temple tourists gave 4.5 starsIt is expected to rise to Rs 44,903 crore by 2030 at current price.
The study also highlights tourist satisfaction from spot or activities, Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor (KVT) and tourism facilities.
On a scale of 5, tourists were most satisfied with the KVT (4.5), evening aarti (4.2), river/ghats (3.9), boat ride (3.7), and Sankat Mochan temple (3.7). Tourists were moderately satisfied with Kal Bhairav temple and Annapurna temple (3.2), Sarnath (2.6) while they were least satisfied with the Visalakshi temple (1.7) and panchkosi (1.2). The study also enquired on Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor access, convenience, aesthetics, and view, with tourists reporting high satisfaction for food and beverages (3.9), visitor flow management, behaviour of temple priests, security (3.6 each), information and accommo dation (3.5 each). The lockers, signages, women safety, local transport, cleanliness, toilets were areas of concern for the tourists.
The report also revealed that tourists were highly dissatisfied with city traffic (2.3), local conducted tours (1.6) and guides (1.1).
According to the EDII consultant, Ankush Tripathi, the study suggested that Yatri Niwas for budget tourists, cafeteria (with multiple outlets) for mass catering, information centres and films on vantage locations and interactive digital kiosks.
EDII director general Sunil Shukla said, “It’s evident that tourists are highly con tended with the temple corridor and evening aarti, but the panchkosi and Vishalakshi temple need immediate attention of the govt to develop it as atourist-friendly spots.”
The study also highlights absence of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and wedding destination business in Kashi. There is a fair amount of film shoot business. “The congestion at KVT and ghats, too many tourists at the same site are seen. There is noise pollution and traffic jams. The e-rickshaw and operator charges are not metered. There is haggling and, sometimes, unfair charging,” added Shukla.
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