Demonetisation: Tour operators want credit card facilities at monuments

Government says departments have no policy on digital payments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a push for cashless and digital payments but central tourism and cultural departments have no policy to support it, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has complained.

On Sunday,  IATO petitioned Prime Minister Modi seeking credit card payment facilities at archaeological sites and provision for agents to purchase entrance tickets of monuments in bulk against cheque or demand drafts.

"This (bulk purchase) used to be the process, but was withdrawn for some reason. These tickets must have a 12 months validity. This will make it much easier for our members to manage money flows and also take out the element of cash transactions as well as help us provide a better service to our tourists," IATO president Pronab Sarkar said.

 

The tourism body has also asked its members to write to the Prime Minister with these demands.

The government's demonetisation move has hit foreign tourists hard as foreign exchange dealers are out of cash. The government has now eased norms and foreign citizens can now exchange foreign currency up to Rs 5,000 per week.