‘Seven Wonders’ campaign a publicity boost for the Taj

With barely a few hours to go before the official announcement of the world’s new wonders tomorrow in Lisbon, Portugal, people from various parts of the world have been encouraged by the New7Wonders Foundation to support the campaign and cast their vote online via the web site www.new7wonders.com.

Aside from Taj Mahal, monumental sites like the Acropolis of Athens (Greece), Alhambra in Granada (Spain), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), the Mayan Temple of Chichen Itza (Mexico), Christ Redeemer (Brazil), Roma Colosseum (Italy), Easter Island (Chile), Eiffel Tower (France), Great Wall (China), Hagia Sophia (Turkey), Kiyomizu Temple (Japan), Kremlin and Red Square (Russia), Machu Picchu (Peru), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Petra (Jordan), Great Pyramids of Giza (Egypt), Statue of Liberty (United States), Stonehenge (United Kingdom), Sydney Opera House (Australia), and the Timbuktu (Mali).

Out of these, the Pyramids of Giza stand out as the only existing structure from the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The campaign is being conducted in an effort to raise awareness, restore and reconstruct world heritage sites.

C. Gangadhar, Assistant Director (West Asia) of India Tourism Dubai, said that although their office has not organised any official activity in relation to Taj Mahal’s nomination to the New 7 Wonders List, they have encouraged their travel and tourism partners in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East region to continue promoting the 359-year-old heritage monument.

“The New 7 Wonders campaign has actually drawn a greater attention to the Taj Mahal. Although it is widely known worldwide, some people who may not have heard of or visited the site. This campaign has stirred their curiosity about the Taj,” Gangadhar said.

While India Tourism Dubai does not have statistics of UAE visitors to the Taj in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Gangadhar said the number of travellers from Dubai has been on the rise.

“This summer, there is an increase in Dubai residents requesting for Indian tourist visa. In May, 4,275 visas were issued, a marked increase over 2,921 visas issued in April this year,” he pointed out.

K.L. Das, Regional Director (West Asia and Africa) of India Tourism Dubai, maintained that Taj Mahal will always be a heritage site that brings pride to the Indian people. “Whether it lands in the 7^th or 8^th position, Taj Mahal will remain to be a tourism treasure of our country,” he said.