The move to grant in principle approval for Electronic Travel
Authorisation (ETA) to travellers from 180 countries to India will boost
tourism in the country, Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan said on Tuesday.
“Travelling to India will be made easy once the ETA to visit the country becomes operational,” he said.
ETA, which will allow foreign travellers to apply for a visa from home
and receive an online confirmation in five working days, is expected to
become operational by October. Barring eight prior reference countries,
which include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria
and Sri Lanka, government has decided to give e-visa to all the 180
countries.
Mr. Dewan added that during the past year, India had considerably
relaxed its visa regime and expanded the Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) scheme.
India launched the VoA scheme in January 2010 for citizens of five
countries – Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore —
visiting India for tourism purposes. The scheme was later extended to
six more countries in January 2011.
Further, the secretary said that a dedicated helpline for inbound
tourists will be launched in a year. "Tourism Infoline in 12 languages
will become operational in about a year," he said.
The Infoline – a dedicated call centre -- will provide information
regarding tourist-related facilities and services available in the
country.
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