As the poll juggernaut rolls on, tourists from countries like the U.S., France, Nigeria and the UAE have evinced interest in witnessing the rough and tumble of polls in the world’s largest democracy, especially in the holy city of Varanasi.
Notwithstanding the scorching summer, many foreigners have registered for a $1,200 (Rs. 72,132) six-night, seven-day election tourism package offered by a private tour operator which includes visit to public rallies, poll campaigns, meeting party leaders and Election Commission officers.
NRIs and Gujaratis settled abroad are mainly interested in the contest between the BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi and the AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi.
The concept was tried during the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections. Only 125 international tourists visited the State. But this time, 800 tourists have so far committed to watch the election process, said Election Tourism India’s city-based chairman Manish Sharma, adding that he expected 2000 bookings.
When asked how he hit upon the idea of ‘election tourism’, Sharma said, “In Mexico, I had found that tourists were taking interests in polls in 2007. I decided that election tourism can be introduced in India too.”
“People have visited pilgrimage spots, sea beaches, mountain ranges...everything, but they need something new and this is a new and unique initiative for them,” Sharma said.
“Americans are very eager to witness our elections. A group of 70 to 80 people has approached us to visit India during elections,” he said.
