Agra's tourism industry is preparing for the tourist season beginning September 1, 2011 by launching luxury buses, upgrading monuments and even recruiting English-speaking policemen - all of which is expected to improve the appeal of the city of the Taj Mahal, according to an IANS report. Latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism for the financial year ended March 31, 2011, confirm Agra is at the top position among tourist destinations in India. The Taj Mahal earned around Rs 20 crore (USD 4.5 million) from sale of entrance tickets alone. It topped the list of Archaeological Survey of India's Agra circle monuments with 4.18 million Indian and 624,000 foreign tourists visiting it last year.
"Time has come to consolidate the gains and not fritter away the advantages, through increased cooperation and coordination among various government agencies and the local industry," said Rajiv Tiwari, a senior tourism industry leader.
District authorities in cooperation with the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department have finalised a number of schemes that would broadbase facilities for visitors. Clearly, the flow of tourists has increased which is good for the city, said Rakesh Chauhan, President of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association. "One of the measures we are all set to launch this independence day is running a local tourist bus service," Amrit Abhijat, Divisional Commissioner, said.