Tag Archives: foreign tourists

In a bid to promote Ganesh Festival amongst travellers, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), in association with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), has made special arrangements for international tourists at Girgaum Chowpatty. A pavilion with the capacity of more than 300 people has been set up for tourists to participate in the spirit and cultural fervour of Maharashtra. Looking at the overwhelming response received last year during the festival, MTDC and MCGM are offering many amenities this year. Commenting on the occasion, Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, “It is a pleasure to showcase the best of Maharashtra’s rich culture and tradition. The distinct pavilion has been set up for overseas travellers to perceive our beloved deity Ganesha. The amenities offered include clean drinking water, mobile toilets, bus transport, along with refreshment. Tourists can see the Ganapati idols from all over the city at Girgaum Chowpatty.” The two corporations together aim to make Ganeshotsav an international event. Tourists can study and participate in various aspects of the Indian culture and rituals. Vijay Kumar Gautam (IAS), Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, “To position this festival on the global map, we are inviting international tourists to participate through MCGM registration facilities. I am certain that the festival will attract a large number of international visitors.” Suhas Diwase, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said, “Ganeshotsav is a festival that has always brought individuals from different cultures and communities together. Tourists from diverse countries come to experience Ganesh Darshan every year. We are happy to associate with MCGM to accommodate international tourists and give them an experience of one of the most popular festivals in …

Starting January 2, 2017, Argentina will refund VAT to foreign tourists for lodging. This measure seeks greater flow of visitors, greater incomes of foreign exchange and the creation of new jobs. This policy reaches the services of lodging and breakfast. Other services that the guest takes at the hotel must be invoiced separately with “A” or “B” vouchers. The estimated impact of this measure, in a year of application, is the arrival of 95,000 new tourists, with an income of more than 70 million dollars, and it is expected to generate almost 8,000 new jobs. “The national government listened to a proposal made by the tourism sector in the last fifteen years. The reimbursement of VAT for accommodation to foreign visitors is already a fact, after a decade and a half of postponements, “said the Minister of Tourism of the Nation, Gustavo Santos. “The norm we promote includes all contracting in the area of accommodation of non-resident tourists and includes direct purchase as the one made through travel agencies. We seek that the entire chain of Argentine tourist value is competitive and of good quality, “said Santos. The return of VAT to accommodation services will be made to people who through their passport or ID card prove their residence abroad and pay by credit card issued abroad or bank transfer originated outside the boundaries of Argentina. The requirements are: accomodation must be registered in the AFIP. Likewise, the agencies must also be registered with VAT and be qualified by the Ministry of Tourism of the Nation. The VAT rebate proposes to regulate a system that improves competitiveness, since foreign tourists will automatically pay a lower rate for the accommodation service …

Based on the advice of Ministry of Finance, the Director General of ASI has issued orders for accepting demonetized 500 and 1000 currency notes till the midnight of November 11, 2016, for entry tickets to centrally protected monuments. Foreign tourists can purchase foreign exchange equivalent to Rs 5000 using these specified bank notes at airport exchange counters within 72 hours after the notification provided the proof of purchasing the specified bank notes is presented, revealed Debjit Dutta, Chairman, IATO-Eastern Region.

A total of 88,162 foreign tourists arrived in the country on e-Tourist Visa (eTV) in January 2016 as compared to 25,023 during the same month in 2015 registering a growth of 252.3 per cent. According to the Ministry of Tourism, this high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 113 countries as against the earlier coverage of 43 countries. United Kingdom occupied the top slot in the top 10 countries availing the facility with 25.37 per cent. The share of the other top countries availing eTV facility were USA (15.17%); Russian Fed. (9.58%); France (6.00%); Australia (5.25%); Germany (4.23%); Canada (4.10%); China (3.96%); Republic of Korea (3.72%) and Ukraine (2.86%). The New Delhi airport received the highest percentage of foreign tourists with 33.18 per cent. The other top ports in foreign tourist arrivals on eTV during January 2016 were Mumbai Airport (20.81%); Goa Airport (19.10%); Chennai Airport (6.95%); Bengaluru Airport (5.35%); Kochi Airport (4.17%); Kolkata Airport (2.99%); Trivandrum Airport (2.29%); Hyderabad Airport (2.13%) and Ahmedabad Airport (1.75%).