Tourist guides are asking for the cashless ticket payment system, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, to be rolled back.
Story so far: As tourism returns to pre-COVID levels, tourists and tour guides are requesting that the old cash-based system for ticket transactions be reinstated. During the pandemic, ticket payments had to be made online, but these measures have not yet been reversed.
Issues with ASI tickets: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does not accept cash for ticket transactions. Instead, tourists and guides must stand in line to register on an online platform and make payments, which can be time-consuming and disrupt itineraries.
- Tourists and guides are requesting that the ASI reinstate transitional ticket counters and simplify the payment process.
- Some of the prominent places this occurs are Somnathpur temple and Tipu Sultan’s palace in Bangalore and Mysore.
What the guides say: Entering the details of tourists after arriving at the venue is cumbersome. For larger groups of tourists, the delay results in complaints of not being able to visit all places on the itinerary. Even credit and debit cards are not being accepted.
- An ASI official stated that the department is looking to bring back cash-based ticketing counters soon.