pricing change for Taj

kidsan · Nov 17th, 2007, 15:10

According to the BBC, there is to be a pricing change for India's main tourist sites including the Taj. This is apparently due to the weakening of the dollar. Payment at these sites will no longer be accepted in dollars.

The prices quoted are 250rs and 100rs (presumably the Taj falls into the higher category)which seems like quite a drop from the 750rs i paid to see the Taj last year (i think?). That always seemed a little unfair compared to the 10 or 20 that Indians paid.

Read more here

wonderwomanusa · Nov 18th, 2007, 00:02

Rs 250 for the Taj is a relative bargain. <sigh>

On my last visit, the twp historical sites I visited (Residency at Lucknow, and Golconda) charged me the foreigner price, but in rupees. I've never had one of these ask me for dollar cash.

ScarletLSG · Nov 18th, 2007, 00:09

The 250 rupees was always the actual entry fee for foreigners though ... then add the 500 for the Agra Development Authority's part. Anyone know if the 500 will still stand??? I was budgeting the full 750.

ScarletLSG

kidsan · Nov 18th, 2007, 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarletLSG

The 250 rupees was always the actual entry fee for foreigners though ... then add the 500 for the Agra Development Authority's part. Anyone know if the 500 will still stand??? I was budgeting the full 750.

ScarletLSG

I didnt realise that the 750 was divided like this but, if so, then i guess it may remain the case. It seems that the idea is not really a reduction in the prices, just to stop taking payment in dollars.

ScarletLSG · Nov 18th, 2007, 00:48

Yes, I was very confused over the Taj pricing and e-mailed the Agra Development Authority. Received a reply from a Mr. V.N. Prabhakar - Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, and he confirmed the way the split of price made up the total of 750. ALSO, you must save your receipt for the 500 so that when you go to any other Agra fort you won't be charged the ADA fee again!!

ScarletLSG

dhans · Nov 19th, 2007, 00:23

That's what we paid last time, 250 Rs and 500 ADA tax. As the dollar has weakened, they will probably add another 250 rs on top of the 750.....

Hans

Nick-H · Nov 19th, 2007, 00:30

I think that, once upon a time, foreign currency was badly needed, which gave rise to regulations like foreigners paying hotel bills, etc, in it.

I believe India now has large amounts of foreign currency.

There is no earthly reason why they should even think of entry fees in dollars, pounds, Euros or Kaputchniks. None whatsoever.

Mickey S · Nov 19th, 2007, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhans

That's what we paid last time, 250 Rs and 500 ADA tax. As the dollar has weakened, they will probably add another 250 rs on top of the 750.....

Hans

Why would they raise the rupee price because the dollar has weakened? Are entry prices in the Netherlands going up because the dollar is going down?

750 rupees is 750 rupees, no matter where the tourist comes from or which currency he has to exchange to get the rupees.

Nick-H · Nov 19th, 2007, 00:46

...Quite.

.

federica · Nov 19th, 2007, 04:39

Can't talk about the Taj but at other monuments the entry fee was 250rs or 5$ for foreigners, so I guess they'll change these 5$ now, as the exchange rate has changed so much.... at the moment it shows me 6,37 $ for 250 rs....

New-South-Welshman · Nov 19th, 2007, 08:15

Arrgghhh. Pretty frustrating, because I'm sure they can charge foreigners anything, yet they'll still come to see it, even though it's an obvious rort.

shashank.aggarwal · Nov 19th, 2007, 10:32

Entry fees was Rs.250 earlier as well, its the same for all World heritage Sites that are under ASI control in India (Around 18) and for other protected sites it was Rs.100.

There was a time when the USD was hovering around Rs.50, at that time the fare was fixed in USD and hence USD 5 and 2. However now that USD has weakned it is going for around Rs.40 and hence ASI is loosing the money. So they have reverted back to the original structure of Rs.250 and 100.

Btw, before the bashing gangs comes in, here are some numbers that were published in the newspaper about ASI revenues.

Contrary to the belief that ASI is minting big time money from foreigners, their Annual Revenue is somewhere in range of Rs.60 Crores Only (i.e. USD 15 million). And this is Indian and Foreign tourist combined.

dhans · Nov 19th, 2007, 14:39

Taj entrance fees and malaria should probably both go into the IM spamfilter ....

And Paris H. offcourse....

Hans

Candyji · Nov 19th, 2007, 15:04

Price of sites have not changed they have just stopped accepting USD.

I agree with spamming Taj entrance fees and will never speak of them ever again but I have just this to say as there are two sides to every story.

Agra cleaned the taj about two years ago. They gave it a mud pack to draw out all the impurities. That doesn't come cheap and it took months. So never think that the money is being wasted. The security alone at the taj must cost a fortune.

Remember that just because the ecomomy in India is getting strong doesn't mean that every man can afford 750 INR. Imagine if you were not able to see the heritage of your own country due to low income. That is why they need a dual pricing structure at the Taj more than anywhere else. Imagine the bigger tragedy if it disappeared forever.

Never forget you have a choice to visit or not. Many will never get to see your country.

Being angry or upset doesn't make a difference but it does create bad karma.

I have only one wish.
They build a toilet which surprisingly enough they are planning.

Candyji

edwardseco · Dec 9th, 2007, 00:08

Good balanced sentiments Candy, hard to live up to but worthy to attempt (especially the toilet)..

Nov 17th, 2007, 15:10	#1
kidsan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: heading for Mauritania... Posts: 670	pricing change for Taj According to the BBC, there is to be a pricing change for India's main tourist sites including the Taj. This is apparently due to the weakening of the dollar. Payment at these sites will no longer be accepted in dollars. The prices quoted are 250rs and 100rs (presumably the Taj falls into the higher category)which seems like quite a drop from the 750rs i paid to see the Taj last year (i think?). That always seemed a little unfair compared to the 10 or 20 that Indians paid. Read more here

Nov 19th, 2007, 00:23	#6
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,409	That's what we paid last time, 250 Rs and 500 ADA tax. As the dollar has weakened, they will probably add another 250 rs on top of the 750..... Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Nov 19th, 2007, 00:30	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,528	I think that, once upon a time, foreign currency was badly needed, which gave rise to regulations like foreigners paying hotel bills, etc, in it. I believe India now has large amounts of foreign currency. There is no earthly reason why they should even think of entry fees in dollars, pounds, Euros or Kaputchniks. None whatsoever. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Nov 19th, 2007, 08:15	#11
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,308	Arrgghhh. Pretty frustrating, because I'm sure they can charge foreigners anything, yet they'll still come to see it, even though it's an obvious rort. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

Nov 19th, 2007, 10:32	#12
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,085	Entry fees was Rs.250 earlier as well, its the same for all World heritage Sites that are under ASI control in India (Around 18) and for other protected sites it was Rs.100. There was a time when the USD was hovering around Rs.50, at that time the fare was fixed in USD and hence USD 5 and 2. However now that USD has weakned it is going for around Rs.40 and hence ASI is loosing the money. So they have reverted back to the original structure of Rs.250 and 100. Btw, before the bashing gangs comes in, here are some numbers that were published in the newspaper about ASI revenues. Contrary to the belief that ASI is minting big time money from foreigners, their Annual *Revenue* is somewhere in range of Rs.60 Crores Only (i.e. USD 15 million). And this is Indian and Foreign tourist combined. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Nov 18th, 2007, 00:02	#2
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,189	Rs 250 for the Taj is a relative bargain. <sigh> On my last visit, the twp historical sites I visited (Residency at Lucknow, and Golconda) charged me the foreigner price, but in rupees. I've never had one of these ask me for dollar cash.

Nov 18th, 2007, 00:09	#3
ScarletLSG Maharani Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kailua, Hawaii Posts: 178	The 250 rupees was always the actual entry fee for foreigners though ... then add the 500 for the Agra Development Authority's part. Anyone know if the 500 will still stand??? I was budgeting the full 750. ScarletLSG

Nov 18th, 2007, 00:48	#5
ScarletLSG Maharani Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kailua, Hawaii Posts: 178	Yes, I was very confused over the Taj pricing and e-mailed the Agra Development Authority. Received a reply from a Mr. V.N. Prabhakar - Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, and he confirmed the way the split of price made up the total of 750. ALSO, you must save your receipt for the 500 so that when you go to any other Agra fort you won't be charged the ADA fee again!! ScarletLSG

Nov 19th, 2007, 00:46	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,528	...Quite. .

Nov 19th, 2007, 04:39	#10
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 891	Can't talk about the Taj but at other monuments the entry fee was 250rs or 5$ for foreigners, so I guess they'll change these 5$ now, as the exchange rate has changed so much.... at the moment it shows me 6,37 $ for 250 rs....

Nov 19th, 2007, 14:39	#13
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,409	Taj entrance fees and malaria should probably both go into the IM spamfilter .... And Paris H. offcourse.... Hans

Nov 19th, 2007, 15:04	#14
Candyji phir bhi mera dil Hindustani hai!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Agra Posts: 65	Price of sites have not changed they have just stopped accepting USD. I agree with spamming Taj entrance fees and will never speak of them ever again but I have just this to say as there are two sides to every story. Agra cleaned the taj about two years ago. They gave it a mud pack to draw out all the impurities. That doesn't come cheap and it took months. So never think that the money is being wasted. The security alone at the taj must cost a fortune. Remember that just because the ecomomy in India is getting strong doesn't mean that every man can afford 750 INR. Imagine if you were not able to see the heritage of your own country due to low income. That is why they need a dual pricing structure at the Taj more than anywhere else. Imagine the bigger tragedy if it disappeared forever. Never forget you have a choice to visit or not. Many will never get to see your country. Being angry or upset doesn't make a difference but it does create bad karma. I have only one wish. They build a toilet which surprisingly enough they are planning. Candyji __________________ Dance to the beat of a different drum.

Dec 9th, 2007, 00:08	#15
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,738	Good balanced sentiments Candy, hard to live up to but worthy to attempt (especially the toilet)..

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