Tour operators’ body Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has appealed to the Government to enhance the validity of e-tourist visa from 30 days to 180 days, citing the “massive response” to the facility rolled out over a year ago.
Besides, IATO, which claims to represent over 1,500 members covering all segments of the tourism industry, has urged the government to allow foreign tourists undertake journey within six months of booking the tickets from the present one month period.
“We have written to the Tourism Ministry, urging it to extend the current 30-day limit of stay by a foreign tourist in India under e-tourist visa scheme to 180 days,” IATO president Subhash Goyal said.
He said that he was “hopeful” of the Ministry considering IATO’s proposal and announce it in the next Union Budget.
Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said that the ministry has received a request in this regard.
“There is a request,” Sharma said when asked whether the Ministry proposes to increase the stay period to 180 days under the e-tourist visa scheme.
launched in November 2014, e-tourist visa is currently available for 113 countries. The Government plans to add 37 more nations to the existing number of countries to 150 by March 2016.