The Press Trust of India (PTI) has confirmed to TRBusiness that the Indian Government has made a decision to extend its visa-on-arrival facility to tourists from 180 countries in order to boost Indian tourism.

 

It also confirmed the following widely-reported statement from Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi: “This is a very good step. The visa-on-arrival for 180 countries will definitely boost the foreign tourist arrivals in the country.”

 

According to A.S Lal, Alpha Kreol India Ltd Director [left], countries requiring prior visa approval include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka. The new rules are expected to be implemented by September/October 2014 at nine international airports – Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

 

A.A Lal, sees this as a ‘golden opportunity’ for travel retail. “While we expect to see increased footfall and spend with the arrival of all segments of tourists, we anticipate that business travellers and those visiting for medical tourism will come to our shores in greater numbers.

 

“The anticipated upsurge in last-minute vacationers, those travelling for medical treatment and business visitors from the Middle East is going to make a positive impact on Cochin International Airport’s Duty Free business, which has been managed by Alpha Kreol India Limited since its inception.”

 

According to A.S. Lal, Cochin is the fourth largest airport in India and it operates under a unique partnership between private investors and the state government.