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TERRORIST bomb blasts that killed 63 people in Jaipur in India this week have failed to deter British tourists from visiting one of the country's most popular attractions.
Tour operators say that travellers have become increasingly level-headed about the risks posed by terrorists since the 7/7 attacks in London in 2005. “People don't really get put off by terrorist attacks,” said Frances Tuke, of the Association of British Travel Agents.
“The turning point was 7/7. People realised that attacks can happen here, that nobody is immune, and that terrorism is now a global problem. So people are not prepared to cancel holidays. They are much more robust.”
The attacks in Jaipur - known as the “pink city” for its pink-hued palaces and forts - took place in areas of the city that tourist officials say are rarely frequented by overseas visitors. An Islamic group calling for India to cease relations with the United States and Britain has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
British travel companies said that no customers had cancelled trips. Operators said that they were monitoring the latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice, although they did not expect India to be put on a tourist “blacklist” since the attacks were not specifically aimed at foreigners.
About 750,000 Britons visit India on holiday each year, with most first-timers visiting the “Golden Triangle” of Jaipur in Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra, where thousands travel to see the Taj Mahal.
At this time of year, the hottest in Jaipur, there are usually about 2,000 UK tourists in the city. Most visit the vast 18th-century City Palace, Nahargarh (Tiger Fort), the Jantar Mantar observatory, and the eclectic Museum of Indology during the main tourist season from November to March, when temperatures are not as fierce.
Babu Manconda, assistant director of India Tourism in London, said: “We are concerned about a drop in tourism but [these attacks] happened in a local market - not where tourists go.”
Before the attacks this week, the FCO said that there was a high threat of terrorism throughout India - but it did not advise against tourist visits.
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