Indian Tour Operators/ Agents upbeat on move to grant Visa on Arrival for US Nationals
Reema Lokesh – Mumbai
Lights, Camera, Action – is what appeared to have unfolded in rather full force at the Madison Square Garden on the 28th of September, with the Honourable Prime Minister of India taking centre stage. From economic growth to socio-cultural development there was a plethora of plans and proposals being announced. Amongst the crucial pointers the decision to grant visa on arrival for US nationals was received well by the Indian Travel and Tourism fraternity that includes both the tour operators and travel agents.
Though the USA has been a promising source market for inbound business into India, this move the fraternity feels will further give impetus to business. Speaking on the proposed decision, Rajeev Kohli, vice president, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATOs), mentioned that, “Long term tourist visa was always in place, namely for 5 years but was seldom given. The visa on arrival proposal was already declared in the Union Budget 2014, but we are glad as a fraternity that America is also going to be a part of this decision. Every effort to bring in the tourists is always welcome and we are upbeat about this new change that will come in after such tourism friendly announcements being made by the honourable PM of India.” Apart from the tour operators fraternity the travel agents association has also expressed their delight on the announcement. Harmandeep Singh Anand, honorary secretary general, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), says that this move will provide a boost to both the inbound and domestic tourism business of India, which will in turn benefit most service providers in the tourism chain.”
Girija Chandran, director, Hammock Leisure Holidays in Bangalore, “This has been a promising announcement. The domestic sector has been on the back foot in the recent times and such decisions do bring in renewed hope. But on the same lines, it is also crucial for the American government to respond in kind to this announcement and give out the right signals to encourage people to travel into India.”
Apart from the visa on arrival plan, the honourable PM of India also touched upon the importance of hygiene and sanitation facilities, which is also of direct relevance to the tourism business as it is related to infrastructure development for tourism.
