News
Travel
India is aiming to attract one million UK visitors by 2020, Says Tourism Secretary
04 Nov 2015, 06:18 am
New Delhi, Nov 3 (NITN): Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism headed the Indian delegation at World Travel Market in London on Tuesday and said that India is aiming to attract one million UK visitors by 2020 through a number of key pro-active initiatives.
The Secretary announced that many of the new initiatives will form part of India’s proposed new National Tourism Policy to catapult tourism to greater heights.
Following the success of India’s Electronic Tourist Visa scheme, launched in November 2014, proposals are already in process to extend the e-Visa’s validity from 30 to 180 days in 2016.
Proposals are also in place to make it available in 150 countries worldwide (currently 113) ensuring multiple or double entry.
Through the new Electronic Tourist Visa, applications are generally processed within three working days.
Speaking on the occasion, Zutshi said that we are committed to make it easy for travellers wanting to come to India, not least through our e-Visa scheme but also the improved air connectivity with India.
"We aim to attract more visitors through the promotion and development of our niche tourism experiences such as adventure, wellness, golf, spiritual and the ‘Paradise Unexplored’- the North East. we are working to improve the infrastructure at many of our beach destinations," the Secretary added.
Stressing India’s appeal as a year-round and diverse destination, Vinod Zutshi further announced the creation of a new Medical Tourism Board and Golf Promotion Committee, both of which are charged with developing the infrastructure, product and appeal of both medical, wellness tourism and golf.
India will also be appointing new tourism marketing representatives in Argentina, Brazil, Russia, China and Japan in the next two years.
India’s largest-ever WTM delegation includes representatives from almost all of India’s states with a record attendance of 6 tourism Ministers and over 50 private India based Travel Organisations and State Governments.
Global tourism arrivals to India in 2014 were 7.68 million, up 10.2% over 2013 – India is outperforming global inbound tourism which rose by just 4.7% in the same period. From the UK, visitor arrivals were 838,860 in 2014, an increase of 3.8% over 2013.
More News
- Machu Picchu mystery: What left 1,400 tourists suddenly stranded in the Andes?
- One Fare stays! Ontario extends popular transit programme till 2027
- West Bengal climbs to No. 2 in India for foreign tourists, overtaking major states
- Air Canada Foundation flies more than 1,000 children to U.S. theme parks
- New Zealand revamps Golden Visa: What the shift means for Digital Nomads
- ‘Paris has Fashion Week – Berlin now has Freedom Week’
- Rising fraud, trafficking, kidnapping cases: Why has Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indian citizens
- IHCL steps into Nagaland with 'Ginger'
- India's North-East goes global: Sikkim to host International Tourism Mart from Nov 13
- Beach, sun… no beer? Thailand introduces strict new drinking hours
Air India's partnership wit ...
Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, have entered a bilateral interline partnership aimed at boosting connectivity between the two countries.
Massive meltdown at IndiGo: ...
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is grappling with one of its most severe operational crises in recent years, with widespread flight delays and cancellations disrupting travel across the country for a second consecutive day.
Air India reinstates codesh ...
Tata Group-owned Air India on Sunday announced the reinstatement of its codeshare agreement with fellow Star Alliance carrier, Air Canada, to offer more flight options for travellers and boost connectivity between India and Canada.