U.S. Dollars No Longer Accepted at Indian Tourist Sites

**Julie** · 01-03-2008, 13:42 PM

Thursday, January 03, 2008

NEW DELHI — No dollars, just rupees please.

In a sign of how the once mighty U.S. dollar has fallen, India's tourism minister said Thursday that U.S. dollars will no longer be accepted at the country's heritage tourist sites, like the famed Taj Mahal.

For years the dollar was worth about 50 rupees and tourists visiting most sites in India were charged either $5 or 250 rupees.

But with the dollar at a nine-year low against the rupee — falling 11 percent in 2007 alone and now hovering at around 39 rupees — that deal has become a losing proposition for the tourism industry.

The country's tourism minister said, though, that the decision was only in part a reaction to the currency's plunging value.

"Before the dollar lost its value, there was a demand to have (admission tickets) just in rupees," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni told the CNN-IBN news channel.

Soni said that charging only rupees would not only be more practical, but would save money because "the dollar was weaker against the rupee."

The Taj Mahal, India's famed white marble monument to love, which had charged tourists $15 or 750 rupees, has been refusing to accept dollars since November.

The move makes visits pricier for American tourists, who now have to shell out nearly $20.

And it's likely to get worse.

"We expect a slight appreciation of the rupee to continue, although it won't be as dramatic as last year," said Agam Gupta, head of foreign exchange trading at Standard Chartered Bank in India.

The dollar has fallen against most major currencies, and it has lost ground against the rupee due to an influx of foreign capital into India, said Gupta.

Soni said she was not worried about the decision affecting tourism numbers as India provided more than just budget attractions.

"I always say it's not numbers I am looking for or working for. I am working for tourists to have a complete experience," she said.

FOXNews.com - U.S. Dollars No Longer Accepted at Indian Tourist Sites - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

glyn · 01-03-2008, 14:31 PM

Cheer up Julie. The US$ is holding its own against the Matabele Gumbo Bead!

Gun Grape · 01-03-2008, 18:31 PM

I cannot think of many countries that I've been that took US currency.

Standing in the hanger or mess deck waiting to exchange dollars for the local currency was part of the "fun" when on a float

Or trying to find a bank in town that wouldn't charge an outrageous exchange rate.

gunnut · 01-03-2008, 18:34 PM

I always try to pay in local currency as a sign of respect for the locals. However some places do accept the dollar and I have paid in dollars before.

Blademaster · 01-03-2008, 21:54 PM

No big deal. After all, the rupee is the local currency there. It would be a problem if they accepted euros, not dollars.

Gun Grape · 01-05-2008, 17:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnut

I always try to pay in local currency as a sign of respect for the locals. However some places do accept the dollar and I have paid in dollars before.

Normally, if you pay in dollars, you get ripped off. At least thats how it was in the 80s and 90s.

01-03-2008, 13:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Julie Moderator Join Date: 08-04-03 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 6,340 Country:	U.S. Dollars No Longer Accepted at Indian Tourist Sites Thursday, January 03, 2008 NEW DELHI — No dollars, just rupees please. In a sign of how the once mighty U.S. dollar has fallen, India's tourism minister said Thursday that U.S. dollars will no longer be accepted at the country's heritage tourist sites, like the famed Taj Mahal. For years the dollar was worth about 50 rupees and tourists visiting most sites in India were charged either $5 or 250 rupees. But with the dollar at a nine-year low against the rupee — falling 11 percent in 2007 alone and now hovering at around 39 rupees — that deal has become a losing proposition for the tourism industry. The country's tourism minister said, though, that the decision was only in part a reaction to the currency's plunging value. "Before the dollar lost its value, there was a demand to have (admission tickets) just in rupees," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni told the CNN-IBN news channel. Soni said that charging only rupees would not only be more practical, but would save money because "the dollar was weaker against the rupee." The Taj Mahal, India's famed white marble monument to love, which had charged tourists $15 or 750 rupees, has been refusing to accept dollars since November. The move makes visits pricier for American tourists, who now have to shell out nearly $20. And it's likely to get worse. "We expect a slight appreciation of the rupee to continue, although it won't be as dramatic as last year," said Agam Gupta, head of foreign exchange trading at Standard Chartered Bank in India. The dollar has fallen against most major currencies, and it has lost ground against the rupee due to an influx of foreign capital into India, said Gupta. Soni said she was not worried about the decision affecting tourism numbers as India provided more than just budget attractions. "I always say it's not numbers I am looking for or working for. I am working for tourists to have a complete experience," she said. FOXNews.com - U.S. Dollars No Longer Accepted at Indian Tourist Sites - International News \| News of the World \| Middle East News \| Europe News

01-03-2008, 14:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
glyn *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-15-06 Location: Penzance, Cornwall UK Posts: 6,544	Cheer up Julie. The US$ is holding its own against the Matabele Gumbo Bead! __________________ Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

01-03-2008, 18:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
gunnut *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 01-27-06 Location: DPRK, Democratik People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 9,379 Country:	I always try to pay in local currency as a sign of respect for the locals. However some places do accept the dollar and I have paid in dollars before. __________________ "Only Nixon can go to China." -- Old Vulcan proverb.

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01-03-2008, 18:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gun Grape Resident Curmudgeon *Military Professional* Join Date: 03-12-05 Location: Panama City Fl Posts: 2,566	I cannot think of many countries that I've been that took US currency. Standing in the hanger or mess deck waiting to exchange dollars for the local currency was part of the "fun" when on a float Or trying to find a bank in town that wouldn't charge an outrageous exchange rate.

01-03-2008, 21:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Blademaster Military Enthusiast *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-15-03 Posts: 3,050	No big deal. After all, the rupee is the local currency there. It would be a problem if they accepted euros, not dollars.

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