Incredible India, invisible tourist office



Just 10 tourists a week visit the Indian tourism Office in Bangalore, with many complaining they cannot find the office in Church Street.
 

About 13,000 tourists visit the city each month in the low season, and this figure rises to 25,000 in the high season, according to V. Elumalai, director of Indiatourism Bangalore, which welcomes only about 40 tourists a month.

“I went to the tourist office the second day I was here,” said Audrine, an American student on holiday in India who talked to The Weekly Observer on Church Street.
“I remember that day really well because I had to walk several times up and down Church Street before finding the office. When I reached the place the service was really good, and they helped address all queries, but I suggested they place a few signboards to make life easier for the tourists.”
Many pedestrians, auto drivers and shopkeepers in the area around Church Street told the Observer they did not know where the office was located. Of the dozens of people who were asked if they could direct the Observer to the office, only a handful were able to do so. 
“Our office has been open since 1983,” said Elumalai.

“We are aware of this problem.There is a signboard on M.G. Road, but the problem is that our office is rented, and a few years ago the building owner was in litigation with the high court, and so we were prohibited by law to do any restoration work or even put up a new signboard."

“We do not want to vacate the place because it is located in the heart of the city, and it is not easy to find another space like this. Now, finally, we can get to work and we are restoring the entire building.

“In three months the work will finish, then the office will be ready to work a hundred percent. Our aim is to be welcoming on all occasions. Would you like a chai?”
Just 10 tourists a week visit the Indian tourism Office in Bangalore, with many complaining they cannot find the office in Church Street.
About 13,000 tourists visit the city each month in the low season, and this figure rises to 25,000 in the high season, according to V. Elumalai, director of Indiatourism Bangalore, which welcomes only about 40 tourists a month.

“I went to the tourist office the second day I was here,” said Audrine, an American student on holiday in India who talked to The Weekly Observer on Church Street. “I remember that day really well because I had to walk several times up and down Church Street before finding the office. When I reached the place the service was really good, and they helped address all queries, but I suggested they place a few sign boards to make life easier for the tourists.”
Many pedestrians, auto drivers and shopkeepers in the area around Church Street told the Observer they did not know where the office was located. Of the dozens of people who were asked if they could direct the Observer to the office, only a handful were able to do so. 
“Ouroffice has been open since 1983,” said Elumalai.

“We are aware of this problem. There is a sign-board on M.G. Road, but the problem is that our office is rented, and a few years ago the building owner was in litigation with the high court, and so we were prohibited by law to do any restoration work or even put up a new signboard.
“We do not want to vacate the place because it is located in the heart of the city, and it is not easy to find another space like this. Now, finally, we can get to work and we are restoring the entire building.

“In three months the work will finish, then the office will be ready to work a hundred percent. Our aim is to be welcoming on all occasions. Would you like a chai?”

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