On Sunday, the Center restored all categories of tourist visas for foreign nationals with the resumption of all international flight operations on a regular basis after two years.
Restoration Of All Categories Of Tourist Visas
Prior to this, all tourist visas were suspended on March 23, 2020 considering the rising coronavirus cases in the country.
Apart from this the visas will be given free for 5 lakh foreign tourists on a first come-first serve basis, according to the Union Minister Of State for Tourism G. Kishan Reddy.
Recovery In Tourism Sector
The move is aimed to bring the tourism sector on a recovery path.
Further, the Center has alerted all the State governments and domestic and international tour and travel operators about the resumption of flight operations and visa concessions as it will definitely help in bringing the tourism sector on a recovery path.
Moreover, for strengthening the tourism in the country, a meeting of ministers for Tourism and Culture, chief secretaries and secretaries of tourism in State governments will be held at Vignan Bhavan in New Delhi on April 12 and 13.
The agenda is to discuss measures to infuse strength in the tourism sector.
Commencing Of E-Visa Services
With the removal of restrictions, e-visa was brought into effect Sunday in 170 countries, he said.
So now, the foreign tourists don’t have a need to go to the Indian embassies any more for visas.
When he was asked if this was a permanent arrangement, he said the situation will be reviewed later.
Besides this Mr. Reddy has also shared the Center’s plan to conduct International Yoga Day on June 21.
This event will be conducted on a massive scale to coincide with Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
Basically, they plan to hold this event at 75 centers across the country to synchronize with 75 years of Indian independence.