Reema Lokesh – Mumbai
Lights, camera, action – is what appeared to have unfolded in rather full force at the Madison Square Garden on September 28, 2014 with the Prime Minister of India taking centrestage. 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 US has been a promising source market for inbound business into India, the fraternity feels this move will further give impetus to business. Rajeev Kohli, vice president, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), stated, “Long term tourist visa was always in place, namely for five 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 PM of India.” Apart from the tour operators fraternity, travel agents associations have also expressed their delight at the announcement. Harmandeep Singh Anand, honorary secretary general, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said, “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 Bengaluru, “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 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.
