India proposes Visa-on-Arrival for Chinese tourists

NEW DELHI - China is among 30 countries for which the Tourism Ministry wants a Visa-on-Arrival facility, the proposal, if endorsed, will raise to 41 the number of countries that will have such a facility.

"We have proposed a Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility for 30 countries including Germany, France, Korea, Russia and China," Indian Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said.

Referring to China, he said there is "very good potential" as far as tourism is concerned. Chiranjeevi said easing of the visa regime would help boost foreign tourist arrivals. The aim is to ensure that India has at least one per cent share in international tourist arrivals, he said. India's share in world tourist arrivals, at present, is about 0.64 percent.

Tourism had led to earnings to the tune of Rs 94,487 crore as foreign exchange last fiscal. The sector witnessed growth of 4.3 percent last year with 65,777,745 foreigners visiting India, against 63,009,222 tourists the previous year.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews