Your dollar is no good at the Taj Mahal

The Associated Press has another sobering report about the state of the U.S. dollar:

At least one of the seven wonders of the world is now off limits if you have only U.S. currency in your pocket. India’s tourism minister said Thursday that the dollar will no longer be accepted at the Taj Mahal and other national tourist sites.

For years tourists visiting most sites in India were charged either $5, or 250 rupees.

After falling 11 percent in 2007, hitting nine-year lows to hoover around 39 rupees, the dollar is out.

Charging only rupees now seems more practical and will save tourists money because “the dollar was weaker against the rupee,” Tourism Minister Ambika Soni told the CNN-IBN news channel. “Before the dollar lost its value, there was a demand to have (admission tickets) just in rupees,” he added.

The Taj Mahal, India’s famed white marble monument to love, began refusing dollars in November.

It means just one more place where American tourists will have to shell out more money — now nearly $20.

The dollar hit record lows of $1.4967 against the euro on Nov. 23, the weakest since that currency began trading in 1999, and was down against almost every major currency Thursday.

So if you're planning some off-season international travel, you may want to choose a destination that won't drain your pocketbook. Check the dollar's worth against other currency at XE.com. It may be depressing, but at least you'll be an informed traveler.