Tourists set to flock in for Holi day weekend

Pink city is expected to be packed with foreign as well as domestic tourists this Holi as it happens to fall on a Friday, hence, followed by a weekend.

Several events have been organised across the state by private as well as government enterprises to attract tourism, as it will also mark the downfall of tourist season this year.

“It is going to be huge for both foreign and domestic tourists, because even if Holi is on Sundays, no one comes because they have work. This year people from Delhi NCR region and Chandigarh will definitely come,” said Khalid Khan, president, Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO).

"Further, this year Holi is in the beginning of March. This is the peak season unlike previous years when Holi was in mid or last week of March,” Khan added.

Department of Tourism is also organising several events around Rajasthan to promote the event. One of the event is Dulhandi festival, being organised on March 2 at Khasa Khoti circle.

“A separate arena is set up for tourists which is only accessible to foreign tourists, and Indian tourists if they are coming with families. There is proper arrangement for food and colours. Folk artists will also be performing for entertainment,” said Upendra Singh Shekhawat, assistant director, DoT.

He further informed that about 3,000 tourists are expected on the day. Braj Holi is also being celebrated at Bharatpur.

“Earlier we used to sell it as Elephant festival, but as that is stopped now, we requested the travel agents to sell it as Dulhandi festival as Rajasthan holi is very famous,” Shekhawat said.

Meanwhile most city-based hostels are on the verge of being sold out several weeks before the event as Holi enthusiasts do not want to miss being coloured in Pink.

GST hits hard

• The other side of the coin is that the overall market of colours has experienced a steep downfall this year after 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax has been implemented on it.
• “The market is extremely slow this yearEarlier there was no tax on Holi colours, now there is 18 per cent GST on it,” said Mohit Jain, city-based colour wholeseller.
• “We have increased the overall rates by 20 per cent, as the raw material is also taxable. The demand which usually goes upto 800 to 900 trucks, has stopped at 600 trucks this year. The market has gone down by 30 per cent,” Jain added.