Qutub Minar most visited tourist destination for foreigners in April-June: RTI reply

Qutub Minar was most visited destination for foreign visitors between April and June, according to an RTI reply.

historic Red Fort was second most visited destination for foreign visitors followed by Humayun's Tomb during same period, reply said.

An analysis of data shows that 15,51,975 Indians visited tourist places between April and June. number of foreign visitors stood at 21,580.

Qutub Minar, a UNSECO-recognised world herit site in Delhi, received 3,81,249 Indian visitors and 9,063 foreign tourists between April and June, according to data shared by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi Circle.

maximum number of foreign tourists visited monument in April. Mughal-era Red Fort was visited by 5,696 foreign tourists during three-month period. It received highest number of domestic visitors at 8,13,434, more than twice number at Qutub Minar.

Humayun's Tomb received 5,139 foreign tourists.

Red Fort and Qutub Minar also occupied second and third spots among 10 most popular centrally-protected ticketed monuments for domestic visitors in 2021-22, according to a report released by Union Ministry of Tourism.

While Purana Qila received more domestic visitors than Humayun's Tomb at 1,27,474, it only welcomed 710 foreign tourists.

Sultan Ghari in Nangal Dewat Forest near Vasant Kunj did t receive any foreign visitors, but welcomed 78 Indian tourists between April to June. Khan-i-Khanan Tomb played host to three foreign visitors.

Hauz Khas I, Kotla Feroze Shah and Tughlaqabad received 92, 52 and 63 foreigners, respectively.

Jantar Mantar witnessed 38,955 domestic and 416 foreign tourists.

ASI's Delhi Circle has around 174 monuments, including Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb.

coronavirus pandemic had led to closure of monuments in first wave in 2020 and reopened in July after restrictions were eased. monuments were shut again during second wave in 2021 before reopening in June. In January this year, monuments were closed for public visit again following a surge in Covid-19 cases triggered by virus’ Omicron variant of virus.