| Improving road and air connectivity is the key to developing tourism in the North-east: Dr Mahesh Sharma |
The 4th International Tourism Mart (ITM) was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, along with the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling in Gangtok, Sikkim today. The ITM has been organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the North Eastern States and the state of West Bengal.
Inaugurating the Mart, the Union Tourism Minister, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the ITM helps to showcase to the world the rich and untapped potential of the North East States. Dr Sharma said that the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has a great vision to develop the North East which has a very high tourism potential in the country. Promoting tourism in these states will be one of the prime focus areas of the Ministry of Tourism, the Minister added. Dr Mahesh Sharma said that improving connectivity is the key to promoting tourism in the North East. The Minister informed that Sikkim will have its own airport in Pakyong, 35 Km away from Gangtok by December 2016. Centre will work to create better road connectivity for the public through National Highways for the North East. He assured that he will discuss the matter of road connectivity with the concerned ministry.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma appreciated the fact that Sikkim is soon going to become the first 100% organic state in the country. The Prime Minister will declare Sikkim as a full organic state on his visit to the state next year in January 2016, he said. Dr Mahesh Sharma praised the cleanliness and‘no smoking drive’ of the Sikkim Government and said that the state has all the potential to become an ideal tourist state.
Highlighting the importance of tourism for a country, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said tourism is an economic engine for the country’s growth and development. Tourism can contribute 8-9% to the GDP if we achieve 1% share of International tourist arrivals around the World. At present India’s share in International tourist arrivals around the World is 0.68%. Tourism helps to generate employment and women empowerment, he added. Dr Mahesh Sharma also said that the facility of e-Visa have been extended to 113 countries and the Government will extend it to 150 countries by March Next year.
Shri Pawan Chamling, delivering the keynote address, highlighted the initiatives taken by theGovernment of Sikkim to make the State a most preferred tourism destination in the region. Shri Chamling said that we have created a comprehensive action plan to develop tourism in order to showcase and share the cultural and natural heritage of Sikkim with the world. Village Tourism and Home Stays have a tremendous potential in Sikkim as the villages are well developed and well connected. A Village Development Action Plan has been prepared for the purpose, he explained.
Secretary, Tourism, Shri Vinod Zutshi said that the Government is developing North East region in terms of all aspects–tourism, education, health, transport networks, telecommunications, information technology, electricity grids, flow of investment and trade and everything else that is needed to harness its economic and commercial potential and raise the standards of living of our people in this region.
This 4th International Tourism Mart 2015, spread over three days is seeing participation of fifty two (52) international delegates comprising of tour operators and media persons from 23 countries. These delegates are from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam. This mart also has participation of 71 tour operators from eight north eastern States and West Bengal besides domestic buyers (tour operators) from different regions of the country.
The State Tourism Departments of eight north eastern states and West Bengal have put up colourful exhibitions at the mart venue which were earlier inaugurated by the Union Tourism Minister and the Chief Minister of Sikkim. These States are also highlighting their rich and varied culture and distinct cuisines.
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Thursday, October 15, 2015
4th International Tourism Mart inaugurated in Gangtok, Sikkim
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to 36 more countries and 7 more airports from 15th August 2015
Government of India has launched e Tourist Visa on 27th November 2014.
The scheme has been extended to 77 countries at nine airports designated for
providing e-Tourist visa service till now.
We are now going to extend this facility to 36 more countries from 15th
August 2015. The new countries being included in e-Tourist Visa scheme are:-
1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Armenia
4. Aruba
5. Belgium
6. Bolivia
7. Colombia
8. Cuba
9. East Timor
10. Guatemala
11. Hungary
12.Ireland
13.Jamaica
14. Malta
15. Malaysia
16. Mongolia
17. Monaco
18. Mozambique
19. Netherlands
20. Panama
21. Peru
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Seychelles
25. Slovenia
26. Spain
27. St Lucia
28. St Vincent & the Grenadines
29. Suriname
30. Sweden
31.Taiwan.
32.Tanzania
33.Turks & Caicos Island
34. United Kingdom
35. Uruguay
36. Venezuela
With this addition the total count of countries under the scheme will go upto
113 (One hundred Thirteen).
Simultaneously, we are going to add 7 more Indian airports as designated airports
for entry on e-Tourist Visa from 15th August2015. New Airports being included in
the scheme are:-
1. Ahmedabad
2. Amritsar
3. Gaya
4. Jaipur
5. Lucknow
6. Tirchy
7. Varanasi
With this total number of designated airports will become 16.
Since the launch of the scheme on 27/11/2014 more than 200000 (Two lac) eTVs
have been issued till now.
It is expected that this substantial addition of countries and airports will give
big boost to tourism industry in the country.
Further details in this regard may be checked on the e-Tourist Visa website
The scheme has been extended to 77 countries at nine airports designated for
providing e-Tourist visa service till now.
We are now going to extend this facility to 36 more countries from 15th
August 2015. The new countries being included in e-Tourist Visa scheme are:-
1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Armenia
4. Aruba
5. Belgium
6. Bolivia
7. Colombia
8. Cuba
9. East Timor
10. Guatemala
11. Hungary
12.Ireland
13.Jamaica
14. Malta
15. Malaysia
16. Mongolia
17. Monaco
18. Mozambique
19. Netherlands
20. Panama
21. Peru
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Seychelles
25. Slovenia
26. Spain
27. St Lucia
28. St Vincent & the Grenadines
29. Suriname
30. Sweden
31.Taiwan.
32.Tanzania
33.Turks & Caicos Island
34. United Kingdom
35. Uruguay
36. Venezuela
With this addition the total count of countries under the scheme will go upto
113 (One hundred Thirteen).
Simultaneously, we are going to add 7 more Indian airports as designated airports
for entry on e-Tourist Visa from 15th August2015. New Airports being included in
the scheme are:-
1. Ahmedabad
2. Amritsar
3. Gaya
4. Jaipur
5. Lucknow
6. Tirchy
7. Varanasi
With this total number of designated airports will become 16.
Since the launch of the scheme on 27/11/2014 more than 200000 (Two lac) eTVs
have been issued till now.
It is expected that this substantial addition of countries and airports will give
big boost to tourism industry in the country.
Further details in this regard may be checked on the e-Tourist Visa website
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
e-Tourist Visa for France (eTV)
e-Tourist Visa facility is available for holders of French passports with effect from 1.5.2015.The eTV scheme requires eligible French nationals to apply four days in advance and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before traveling to India. It may be noted that the visa is not being granted on arrival at the airport.
Eligiblity for e-Tourist Visa
Eligiblity for e-Tourist Visa
- French nationals whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation , sight seeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit are eligible for e-Toursit Visa.
- Their Passports should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passports should also have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
- They should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during their stay in India.
- French Nationals of Pakistani origin may apply for Visa through Indian Visa Application Centres only.
- E-Tourist Visa facility is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
- E-Tourist Visa facility is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport. Each individual should have a separate passport.
- E-Tourst Visa facility is also not available to International Travel Document Holders.
Chinese Get E-Tourist visa for India by July 30
As promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, e-tourist visa facility will be rolled out to Chinese nationals beginning July 30.
Along with the citizens of China, the e-tourist visa facility will also be offered to the nationals of Hong Kong and Macao from Thursday, a senior official told.
Brushing aside concerns raised by intelligence agencies, the Prime Minister had announced during his visit to China in May that the e-tourist visa facility will be offered to Chinese nationals.
Modi had made the announcement notwithstanding frequent issuance of stapled visa by China to people from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
India had last year launched e-tourist visa facility (which was earlier called 'tourist visa on arrival enabled by electronic travel authorisation') for more than 40 countries, including the US. The scheme was later extended to 36 more countries with effect from May.
Under the e-visa scheme, an applicant receives an email authorising him or her to travel to India after it is approved and he or she can travel with a print-out of this authorisation. On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorisation to the immigration authorities who would then stamp the entry into the country.
The number of foreign tourists availing e-tourist visa facility has increased by over 700 per cent in May as compared to the same period last year.
Along with the citizens of China, the e-tourist visa facility will also be offered to the nationals of Hong Kong and Macao from Thursday, a senior official told.
Brushing aside concerns raised by intelligence agencies, the Prime Minister had announced during his visit to China in May that the e-tourist visa facility will be offered to Chinese nationals.
Modi had made the announcement notwithstanding frequent issuance of stapled visa by China to people from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
India had last year launched e-tourist visa facility (which was earlier called 'tourist visa on arrival enabled by electronic travel authorisation') for more than 40 countries, including the US. The scheme was later extended to 36 more countries with effect from May.
Under the e-visa scheme, an applicant receives an email authorising him or her to travel to India after it is approved and he or she can travel with a print-out of this authorisation. On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorisation to the immigration authorities who would then stamp the entry into the country.
The number of foreign tourists availing e-tourist visa facility has increased by over 700 per cent in May as compared to the same period last year.
Friday, July 17, 2015
e-Tourist visa to India on a constant rise from Australia!
India always gives a big reason for smile to the Australian entrepreneurs. Its eTV visa options for Australian tourists get processed at awesome speed if the documents submitted or required are perfectly done!
India is often termed as the epitome of the world, and quite rightly so! It has almost all of the natural beauties that the whole world has! It has the extensive coastlines, the highest of the mountain ranges, the lakes and fountains, the hot springs and valleys, the gorges as well as the waterfalls! It is thus natural that many tourists keep knocking the doors of the Indian Missions across the world in search of visas.
Reasons to travel to India
It is not only about travel though! The booming Indian economy is also a great reason for that. It is the third largest Asian economy by sheer size and among the fastest growing in the world of today. Its growth is set to cross that of China, the fastest growing major economy in the world, by 2016. That is why a large number of businessmen also want to visit India for a race about possible business transactions in here from Australia! The presence of a large number of Indian migrants to Australia also helps the cause, as they keep on growing the interest for business among the Australian entrepreneurs a lot! That is why the craze for e-Tourist visa from Australia is constantly on the rise over the last few years!
Eligibility for eTourist visa to India
The criteria for eligibility to an e-Tourist visa to India are given on the official webpage of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It states a few easy and simple criteria as guidelines for tourists seeking India eTV visa from Australia. At the first place is the cause of the visit. It must be for sightseeing, recreation or visit to relatives and friends. It can also be for short term medical treatments and casual business visits used often for race. But it is not open for diplomatic passport holders or for people endorsed by parent’s or spouse’s passport. The latter simply means that one has to have an individual separate passport for availing this facility.
Moreover, there are a few other important points too! One is that the passport must have at least six more months to expire from the date of arrival in India. The e-Tourist visa requirements for Australia also asks for a copy of the return or onward journey plus and a proof of the individual having enough money for stay during the duration in India. For the latter, a consolidated bank statement of the person for the last few months may be required! In any case, a person from Australia seeking Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) can get the needful done at the shortest possible time, provided s/he confirms to all of the above mentioned India e-Tourist visa requirements for Australia.
Advantages of eTourist Visa
The biggest advantage is eTV visa is that it is fast and gets you out of the long queues that one has to stand for in the Indian Missions for regular visas. Australia is among those countries that enjoy visa on arrival facility for India e-Tourist visa from Australia. The eTV visa to India is valid only for nine of its international airports- Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa and Kochi. One must apply at least four days in advance from the date of arrival with a window of up to 30 days. A passport size good quality photo is mandatory for application, along with the nominal visa fees paid!
India is often termed as the epitome of the world, and quite rightly so! It has almost all of the natural beauties that the whole world has! It has the extensive coastlines, the highest of the mountain ranges, the lakes and fountains, the hot springs and valleys, the gorges as well as the waterfalls! It is thus natural that many tourists keep knocking the doors of the Indian Missions across the world in search of visas.
Reasons to travel to India
It is not only about travel though! The booming Indian economy is also a great reason for that. It is the third largest Asian economy by sheer size and among the fastest growing in the world of today. Its growth is set to cross that of China, the fastest growing major economy in the world, by 2016. That is why a large number of businessmen also want to visit India for a race about possible business transactions in here from Australia! The presence of a large number of Indian migrants to Australia also helps the cause, as they keep on growing the interest for business among the Australian entrepreneurs a lot! That is why the craze for e-Tourist visa from Australia is constantly on the rise over the last few years!
Eligibility for eTourist visa to India
The criteria for eligibility to an e-Tourist visa to India are given on the official webpage of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It states a few easy and simple criteria as guidelines for tourists seeking India eTV visa from Australia. At the first place is the cause of the visit. It must be for sightseeing, recreation or visit to relatives and friends. It can also be for short term medical treatments and casual business visits used often for race. But it is not open for diplomatic passport holders or for people endorsed by parent’s or spouse’s passport. The latter simply means that one has to have an individual separate passport for availing this facility.
Moreover, there are a few other important points too! One is that the passport must have at least six more months to expire from the date of arrival in India. The e-Tourist visa requirements for Australia also asks for a copy of the return or onward journey plus and a proof of the individual having enough money for stay during the duration in India. For the latter, a consolidated bank statement of the person for the last few months may be required! In any case, a person from Australia seeking Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) can get the needful done at the shortest possible time, provided s/he confirms to all of the above mentioned India e-Tourist visa requirements for Australia.
Advantages of eTourist Visa
The biggest advantage is eTV visa is that it is fast and gets you out of the long queues that one has to stand for in the Indian Missions for regular visas. Australia is among those countries that enjoy visa on arrival facility for India e-Tourist visa from Australia. The eTV visa to India is valid only for nine of its international airports- Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa and Kochi. One must apply at least four days in advance from the date of arrival with a window of up to 30 days. A passport size good quality photo is mandatory for application, along with the nominal visa fees paid!
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