Tourist Info N-block Delhi

FrokenMalin · Jan 14th, 2006, 04:29

I just got back from my first trip in northern India. Does anyone know if the three tourist offices in N-block in Delhi are truly Goverment approved or just scam-places? We did hear some horror stories but that after we got really good help from one of the offices. Afterwards I realized that it was three similiar offices really close to eachother. Does anyone else have experience of these places? Or experience of a company called exotic travels?

Aussie 5 · Jan 14th, 2006, 12:04

Welcome to Indiamike

Good point - we were also left confused on this issue....

On our first day in Delhi after two weeks in the country (when we were a bit 'lost' looking for our bank that had moved location) we were approached by a well dressed Indian who asked how he could help us (my antennae read 'tout' 'tout' 'tout'). He said he worked for the government and showed us some ID, saying he just wanted to help us.

He seemed genuine, recommending us to the 'government tourist bureau' and he would take us (the tout scale increased at this time). He insisted on guiding us through the chaos that was Connaught Place last November with all the metro work happening and duly dropped us off at a cool tourist office. This office was not where the Lonely Planet said it was, but then our bank had moved in the time since it had been printed. So maybe this was the real thing....??

We were surprised that there were no tourist brochures, maps etc on the counter, but were quickly introduced to a 'consultant' and ushered into a private office (tout and scam alert now at 'high'). After preliminary discussion, we indicated that we only need directions to the new location of the bank and some local restaurant for a meal and that we were NOT interested in tours etc. We were surprised to be asked where we had stayed before and where would we recommend travellers to stay in Delhi and elsewhere (even asking us to write down the name and contact details).

Eventually we were given some indication of where our bank had relocated and advised to visit QBA for a drink and a meal (a very expensive place!!!) We gave him a postcard of Brisbane for his family - pointing out where the 'Gabba' is (cricket lovers will understand!).

We left then but it came as no surprise to us that we saw this same obliging gent a few times during our 3 days around Connaught Place, and when we visited QBA for a drink the 'consultant' was at the table next to us and said 'Hi'!!!

Live and learn, but at least we lost nothing through the exercise!!

PeakXV · Jan 14th, 2006, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie 5

Welcome to Indiamike

On our first day in Delhi after two weeks in the country (when we were a bit 'lost' looking for our bank that had moved location) we were approached by a well dressed Indian who asked how he could help us (my antennae read 'tout' 'tout' 'tout'). He said he worked for the government and showed us some ID, saying he just wanted to help us.
!!

In Connaught place usually anybody who says they "want to help you" really mean that they "want to help you for far more than you really ought to pay"

amarama · Jan 16th, 2006, 11:07

Everyone is a tout, everyone, just have some fun with them. I found a guy seeling post cards, I asked him where the tourist bureu was, he walk a few step and there it was. Tourist bureau. I walk in and all these guys are sitting around counting money. I start asking them if they can arrange touyrs, travel hotels, you know see if there start drooling. They had no intrest in helping me. I figured wow, I found the real tourist bureua.

kellyee21 · Jan 18th, 2006, 16:00

Ah yes, the tourist bureau racket in Delhi... Our first day in delhi everyone was following us as we were trying to get from Pahar Ganj to Connaught Place, sending us in circles trying to get us into a "government approved" tourist office for a free map etc... We had no intentions of going into a tourist office and finally opted for a rickshaw (which one of these touts got for us) to get us to Connaught Place, all the while knowing we would get taken to a tourist office but least we were going in the direction of Connaught Place. We paid the 10r fare and refused to go in but at least at that point I knew where we were.

Anyways after 3 weeks in India we were back in Delhi and walking in Pahar Ganj again. The same scenario starts unfolding with these touts trying to steer you to a tourist office. This time my boyfriend responds by acting like the touts were the ones needing directions and gives them detailed directions on how to get back to Connaught Place. It was hilarious, they would just get a confused look and move on.

Jan 14th, 2006, 04:29	#1
FrokenMalin Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Posts: 1	Tourist Info N-block Delhi I just got back from my first trip in northern India. Does anyone know if the three tourist offices in N-block in Delhi are truly Goverment approved or just scam-places? We did hear some horror stories but that after we got really good help from one of the offices. Afterwards I realized that it was three similiar offices really close to eachother. Does anyone else have experience of these places? Or experience of a company called exotic travels?

Jan 16th, 2006, 11:07	#4
amarama Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: very near the Mexican border Posts: 164	every man women and child Everyone is a tout, everyone, just have some fun with them. I found a guy seeling post cards, I asked him where the tourist bureu was, he walk a few step and there it was. Tourist bureau. I walk in and all these guys are sitting around counting money. I start asking them if they can arrange touyrs, travel hotels, you know see if there start drooling. They had no intrest in helping me. I figured wow, I found the real tourist bureua.

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Jan 14th, 2006, 12:04	#2
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Welcome to Indiamike Good point - we were also left confused on this issue.... On our first day in Delhi after two weeks in the country (when we were a bit 'lost' looking for our bank that had moved location) we were approached by a well dressed Indian who asked how he could help us (my antennae read 'tout' 'tout' 'tout'). He said he worked for the government and showed us some ID, saying he just wanted to help us. He seemed genuine, recommending us to the 'government tourist bureau' and he would take us (the tout scale increased at this time). He insisted on guiding us through the chaos that was Connaught Place last November with all the metro work happening and duly dropped us off at a cool tourist office. This office was not where the Lonely Planet said it was, but then our bank had moved in the time since it had been printed. So maybe this was the real thing....?? We were surprised that there were no tourist brochures, maps etc on the counter, but were quickly introduced to a 'consultant' and ushered into a private office (tout and scam alert now at 'high'). After preliminary discussion, we indicated that we only need directions to the new location of the bank and some local restaurant for a meal and that we were NOT interested in tours etc. We were surprised to be asked where we had stayed before and where would we recommend travellers to stay in Delhi and elsewhere (even asking us to write down the name and contact details). Eventually we were given some indication of where our bank had relocated and advised to visit QBA for a drink and a meal (a very expensive place!!!) We gave him a postcard of Brisbane for his family - pointing out where the 'Gabba' is (cricket lovers will understand!). We left then but it came as no surprise to us that we saw this same obliging gent a few times during our 3 days around Connaught Place, and when we visited QBA for a drink the 'consultant' was at the table next to us and said 'Hi'!!! Live and learn, but at least we lost nothing through the exercise!!

Jan 18th, 2006, 16:00	#5
kellyee21 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: France Posts: 7	Ah yes, the tourist bureau racket in Delhi... Our first day in delhi everyone was following us as we were trying to get from Pahar Ganj to Connaught Place, sending us in circles trying to get us into a "government approved" tourist office for a free map etc... We had no intentions of going into a tourist office and finally opted for a rickshaw (which one of these touts got for us) to get us to Connaught Place, all the while knowing we would get taken to a tourist office but least we were going in the direction of Connaught Place. We paid the 10r fare and refused to go in but at least at that point I knew where we were. Anyways after 3 weeks in India we were back in Delhi and walking in Pahar Ganj again. The same scenario starts unfolding with these touts trying to steer you to a tourist office. This time my boyfriend responds by acting like the touts were the ones needing directions and gives them detailed directions on how to get back to Connaught Place. It was hilarious, they would just get a confused look and move on.

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