India likely to allow foreign tourists soon
Covid-19 has affected the tourism industry vastly.
In an attempt to revive tourism, first five lakh foreign tourists will be issued visas FOC.
India is very likely to open its doors for international tourists as Covid cases are on the decline in the country. It has been a year and a half since the foreign tourists visited India as the pandemic forced a worldwide lockdown.
In order to revive tourism, hospitality industry and aviation industry, there are plans of issuing free visas to first five lakh foreign tourists. The top Union Home Ministry officials are deliberating with all stakeholders on the expected date and modalities for opening up of the country for foreign tourists. An official from the ministry said that a formal announcement allowing international tourists to visit India may come within next 10 days or so.
The free visa to the tourists will be issued till March 31, 2022 or the issuance of five lakh visa, whichever is earlier.The free visa move is expected to incentivise short-term tourists visiting India, the official said.
The Home Ministry is thinking on terms of certain conditions like limiting it to only vaccinated travelers. The opening up is also expected to be phase-wise to assess the responses and implications.
(media reports)