India: after six months of closure, the Taj Mahal reopens its doors to tourists
After six months of closure, the Taj Mahal can now accommodate 5,000 visitors per day.
AP Photo / Pawan Sharma
Text by: Sébastien Farcis Follow
3 min
The famous Taj Mahal, in northern India, a magnificent 17th century mausoleum classified as a World Heritage Site, reopens its doors to tourists on Monday, September 21, after a six-month closure due to health precautions surrounding the Covid-19 epidemic.
A relief for the tourism industry as it is one of the most visited landmarks in India.
Although the recovery is expected to be very slow.
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With our special correspondent in Agra,
In the large avenue which leads to the Taj Mahal this Monday morning, traders dusted off souvenirs, hats and other small replicas of the white mausoleum.
On their faces is born a smile of relief, because all have a number in mind: 188. It had been 188 days, six months therefore that the most visited monument in the city was closed.
Restaurateurs, guides or hoteliers have suffered greatly.
The first tourists have finally arrived.
Strict rules
The reopening is taking place according to strict rules.
Only 5,000 tourists at most can now admire this splendid white marble mausoleum and its encrusted precious stones up close every day, while the Taj Mahal hosted up to 80,000 people a day before the crisis.
Even once inside this large esplanade lined with fountains, the Covidian rules apply: wearing a mask is compulsory and a ban on taking group photos in front of this majestic monument.
The fort of Agra, which is the other big attraction of this city, also reopens this Monday, with this time 2,500 people authorized each day, for a monument which received more than 10 times more in high season.
No foreign tourists
However, the government no longer issues tourist visas until further notice.
In the absence of foreign tourists, the recovery will therefore be difficult.
They represent a large part of the tourists who come to Agra, and the majority of the income, because for the Taj Mahal alone, foreigners pay 22 times more entry than Indians.
They also spend a lot more on souvenirs and sleep in more luxurious hotels.
The tourist season is usually in full swing between November and March in India, but it will not return to its usual rhythm until foreigners return to Agra, many
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