Incredible India set to roll out VoA and E-Visa to 180 countries by Oct 2014

IATO estimates 25-50 percent incremental FTA’s, while it bats for relaxation of visa norms for Sri Lanka as well

Vivek Sethi | New Delhi

Our Incredible India has finally mustered adequate courage to put its best foot forward to make substantial inroads into the international tourists arrivals. As per the announcements made post a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission on 5th February, 2014; India will offer Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facilities to all the countries barring only eight.

K.Chiranjeevi, Union Tourism Minister had welcomed the decision to relax the visa regime of India to promote tourism. In fact, he has categoirically thanked the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) had also reacted to the said developments with great optimism. Expressing his happiness, Subhash Goyal, President, IATO, said, “We express our happiness on behalf of the entire tourism industry. We are also thankful to  K. Chiranjeevi,  Honorable Union  Minister of Tourism and Parvez Dewan, Secretary Tourism, Govt. of India  and the entire team at DOT;  as without their help this historic achievement of Visa of Arrival to 180 countries would not have been possible for which we been requesting for last 15 years.”

“The sooner the Visa on Arrival along with E-Visas are implemented, better it will be for the country because once these are implemented, there will be increase in international tourist arrival between 25 -50 per cent”, he added. 

Going forward, IATO has urged the government to extend these benetits to Sri Lanka as well. As per the present developments, eight countries that had been excluded benefits under the new visa regime are Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will now work out manpower, infrastructure and other requirements for expanding the TVOA and initiating the ETA facility. The new system of TVOA and ETA could be put into place by October, 2014. 

Secretary Tourism Lauds IATO and Kalkriti Cultural & Convention Center

Vivek Sethi | Agra

India’s strength in terms of its culture makes it one among the most coveted travel destination. Especially, if a product blends the cultural appeal and also focuses on modern MICE segment, it surely can do wonders for the respective state and incredible India at large.

Appreciating such a blend, while inaugurating the new show at KalaKriti Cultural and Convention Centre in Agra, Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said,”Ashok Jain led Ashok Oswal Group has taken a major leap forward by creating a dance show that highlights the rich blend of Indian culture spread across India in its new show ‘Utsav Rishton Ka.’ The show is one among the best in the world with professional dancers and state-of-the-art technology.”

“Taj Mahal is the most visited centrally protected monument by the domestic and international tourists. The variety of shows at Kalakriti will surely help extend the stay of our tourists in Agra. It will help tourism economy in U.P. and incredible India at large. IATO also deserves due praise for organizing a FAM trip for its members, who now can promote it,” he added.

Leading the IATO members, Subhash Goyal, President, IATO, said, “The rise of Ashok Oswal Group is a case study in itself. Ashok Jain has added a great experience that makes visit to Taj Mahal far more memorable. We at IATO will extend all our support to promote Agra and the cultural show here at Kalakriti.”

The IATO delegates also included Sarabjit Singh, Sr Vice President, IATO. Raj Bajaj, Bobby Sawhney were part of the the said FAM organising team, which was supported by IATO secretariat officials led by Gaur Kanjilal.

Promoting India's rich cultural appeal at Center: Parvez Dewan, Secretary Ministry of Tourism flanked by Management of Ashok Oswal Group and IATO members