New Delhi, Feb 7 – Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said the visa-on-arrival facility extended to tourists from 180 countries will provide a major boost to India’s tourism sector.
“This is a very good step. The VoA (visa-on-arrival) for 180 countries will definitely boost foreign tourist arrivals to India. It will help growth in the tourism sector,” Chiranjeevi told Press Trust of India (PTI).
Data from the Tourism Ministry shows overseas tourist arrivals recorded a 3 per cent increase in January this year.
The ministry expects a considerable increase in tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings once the visa-on-arrival facility for 180 countries comes into effect later this year.
The VoA is extended to tourists from 180 countries including the US, UK, China, United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.
Indian Association of Tour Operators president Subhash Goyal said the VoA would boost tourist arrivals by 25 to 50 per cent.
– Bernama
