Category Archives: MOT

A North East desk in Mumbai will be set up to promote tourist and trade investment from Maharashtra and other western parts of country in the northeast region. This decision was taken at a meeting Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space held in Mumbai with members of Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC) and the Maharashtra State Tourism Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the North East has lot much to offer, but the attributes remain unexplored because people outside are either not aware of it or do not find it convenient to venture. He further highlighted that a highly scenic destination like Shillong attracts more number of European and foreign tourists compared to domestic or Indian tourists because of lack of awareness in other parts of the country. Dr Jitendra Singh also proposed the idea of Medical Tourism and flagged the idea of combining tourism with the Start up India programme which could simultaneously help in engaging youth and generating employability.

As many as 1,36,876 foreign tourists arrived in November 2016 on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 83,501 during the month of November 2015 registering a growth of 63.9 per cent. The UK continues to be the biggest market availing the services with a 22.3 per cent share, followed by USA (12.9 per cent), Russian Fed (8.7%), France (6.3%), China (6.1%), Germany (4.6%), Australia (4.1%), Canada (3.6%), Netherlands (1.8%) and Ukraine (1.8%). New Delhi Airport served the most number of eTV applicants with a 44.99 per cent share followed by Mumbai Airport (18.53%), Dabolim (Goa) Airport (14.19%), Chennai Airport (5.26%), Bengaluru Airport (5.23%), Kochi Airport (2.99%), Kolkata Airport (2.32%), Hyderabad Airport (1.94%), Trivandrum Airport (1.32%) and Amritsar Airport (1.11%). During January- November 2016, a total of 9,17,446 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 3,41,683 during January-November 2015, registering a growth of 168.5 per cent.

Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism and Culture laid the foundation stone of six development projects under Spiritual Circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. These projects include Trilokteerth Dham, Badagaon; Maa Manasa Devi Mandir, Badagaon; Pura Mahadev Mandir, Pura; Parashuram Bhagwan Mandir, Pura; Laakshagrah, Barnawa; and Shri Chandraprabhu Digambar Jain Atishay Mandir, Barnawa. Distinguished guests like Dr Satyapal Singh, Member of Parliament, Baghpat among others, were present on the occasion.

Disciplinary proceedings have reportedly been initiated against six India Tourism offices abroad, including that in London, Frankfurt and New York, the Rajya Sabha was informed. Complaints of financial irregularities have been cited as reasons for the proceedings for which inquiry is on-going. In a written reply, Mahesh Sharma, Minister for Tourism, Government of India said, “Based on allegations/complaints/audit observations, etc., received in the Ministry of Tourism against India Tourism Offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, New York and Toronto, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated in cases where prima facie allegations were found to be substantiated.” The India Tourism office in London also faces complaint of administrative lapses between 2008 and 2011. The proceedings are continuing at offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Johannesburg and London, while report from Inquiry Authority has been received from offices in New York and Toronto, said Sharma.

The visa services, which have been expanded for tourism, medical and business purposes, has been extended to eight countries namely Angola, Rwanda, Niger, Cyprus, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Mali and Burundi, revealed Vinod Zutshi, Secretary – Tourism, Govt. of India. “Apart from this, we are also working on extending the e-tourist visa for five other countries among which Italy, Slovak Republic, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are included,” he said at a closed-door meeting held in New Delhi. With this announcement, the total count of countries that can avail the e-visa services is 158.

India’s e-visa will now have three components — e-tourist visa, e-medical visa, e-buisness visa. Talking about the various changes in e-visa, Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, says, “For the first time in this country, medical visa is going the electronic way and so is the case with business visa. This has been one of the biggest landmark decisions, and it’s going to catapult Indian tourism into a new orbit. The best thing is that the initial period of application, which used to be 30 days, has been extended to 120 days, which is logical, especially for foreigners who plan their travel much in advance.” Talking about the extension of eTV, Zutshi says, “The validity of eTV was just 30 days and it’s been increased to 60 days now. Also, when tourists come to India, they would like to visit other countries of Southeast Asia and come back. We have made e-tourist visa and e-business visa double entry. For e-medical visa, the government has provided triple entry, which is a redeeming feature. Film visa has also been streamlined and rationalised, which has come at the right time and would encourage filming in India.”

Riding high on the success of the first Bharat Parv, the cultural program’s 2nd edition, showcasing the rich heritage of India, will be held on January 26-31, 2017 in Red Fort, revealed Vinod Zutshi. “There will be theme based pavilions by all the states to highlight the country’s diverse culture, along with performances, food stalls etc. The last edition of Bharat Parv was well appreciated and because of that, we’ve decided to have another edition next year.”

The Incredible India Global Tourism Mart that was scheduled to take place from February 1-4, 2017 has been postponed until further notice, confirmed a senior government official. “The new dates will be decided hopefully next week after a consultation with the associated bodies,” the source said. This is the second postponement of the mega travel mart which was initially proposed to be held in January 2017.

The e-tourist visa (eTV) has been revised to include travellers visiting India for business, conference, tourism, and medical purposes under one category, confirmed Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. “It will now be termed e-visa and will be valid for 60 days, as opposed to the earlier duration of 30 days. Travellers will also be able to apply for the e-visa four months in advance and will be granted a double-entry for tourism and business, and three entries for medical purposes,” Billa said. As per the Cabinet decision, the e-visa scheme will be extended to eight more countries, taking the total number of nations that avail the facility to 158. The liberalisation of visa services is expected to stimulate economic growth, increase earnings from export of services like tourism, medical value travel and travel on account of business and to make ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Make in India’ and other such flagship initiatives of the government successful.

Karan Anand, Head (Relationship), Cox & Kings, has been nominated by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to the National Tourism Advisory Council for a period of three years. The Council will act as a ‘Think Tank’ and advise the government on policy matters relating to tourism in the country. The committee comprises luminaries from the central government and the private sector. Anand will continue to carry out his responsibilities at Cox & Kings.