The Indian government is now aiming to increase the arrival of foreign tourists in the country. The government, on March 6, 2013, has proposed to extend the Visa on arrival (VoA) facility in India for visitors from Germany.
The proposal will be considered with an aim to share 1 percent of the World Tourist Arrivals by 2016. K Chiranjeevi, the Tourism Minister, while inaugurating the India pavilion at International Tourism Bourse in Berlin said, “A proposal to extend the ‘visa on arrival’ facility to the tourists from Germany is under active consideration from the Government of the India”.
Chiranjeevi added that Germany is an important market for India. The tourism minister went on to say that during the year 2011, more than 24,000 German tourists had visited India and were looking forward to further increase tourist traffic between the two countries. On March 1, 2013, Chiranjeevi had submitted a proposal seeking an extension of VoA facilities for 16 countries, including Germany.
The minister also said that it is a matter of concern for all in the ministry that India is lagging behind in attracting foreign visitors. The VoA is crucial to attract foreign tourists in key markets and is also useful for people who make decisions at the last moment.
