Elephant rides at Amer Fort, once among Jaipur’s most sought-after tourist attractions, have seen a drastic decline in popularity. According to local travel agencies, tour experts and guides, most international travel companies and agencies have removed it from their itineraries. Once considered a royal experience, it has few takers now, and travellers are giving it a miss.‘Popularity of elephant safaris is on the decline’Ajay Singh Rathore, general secretary, Tourist Guide Association, Jaipur, shares, “Till 2015-16, elephant rides were a must for all international tourists. Shockingly, none of my clients have asked for elephant rides in the last three years. Instead, they prefer visiting cow shelters or other animal shelters. Supporting PETA’s guidelines against the unnecessary infliction of pain and suffering on elephants, many travel agencies have excluded it from their itinerary.”Dr Rakesh Chholak, superintendent, Amer Fort, says, “Due to several factors, including global conflicts in different corners, the number of international tourists has gone down in the last couple of years, leading to a decline in the demand for elephant safaris.” Cruelty-free tourism campaigns by international NGOs and animal activists have also contributed to this decline. Mahesh Sharma, a tourist guide, adds, “The popularity of elephant safaris is on the decline. While most travel agencies still suggest Amer Fort as one of Jaipur’s must-visit destinations, elephant rides are no longer on the to-do-list of most international tourists.”‘Elephants are abused during these rides’Talking about this decline, Dinesh Rajawat, a guide, says, “Most of the famous international travel agencies are no longer offering elephant safaris in their itineraries. These giant creatures are physically, mentally, and emotionally abused to prepare them for the rides. As local guides and travel agents, we simply follow the demands we receive from our international counterparts.”Fewer international tourists, change in tourist preferences, and rising prices have also contributed to the decline. “A few years back, the prices used to be ₹700 but now, it has gone up to ₹2,500 for a 20-to-30-minute ride. Also, a few mishaps, including tourists falling and even accidental deaths due to the possible manhandling of elephants during safaris, caused concerns and contributed to the decline,” says a guide on the condition of anonymity.‘Ethical elephant tourism is gaining ground’While safaris have seen a decline, there has been a surge in other elephant-related activities that promote tourism in a responsible and ethical way. For instance, more people are now exploring Hathi Gaon, where one can enjoy feeding, bathing, and painting activities with elephants. Mahesh Sharma says, “It offers a unique experience where people can see elephants in their natural environment, feed them, bathe them, paint them with natural colours and even enjoy rides on sandy village roads without causing them stress. It’s a more ethical form of tourism, helping families sustain themselves while maintaining the upkeep of the animals, which is their only livelihood. Tourists who do not want to engage in unethical activities are increasingly opting for such excursions with their families, especially their children.”Box: Elephant safaris at Amer Fort: The declining numbers:2018-19: 82, 304September 2019 to March 2020: 54,1892020-21: 14612021-22: 47802022-23: 27, 2572023-24: 39,5452024-25: 33,5092025-26: 24,2372026 (April to July, off season): 2,377-Source: Data shared by the Amer Fort Authority
