Growth of 1.7% in tourists availing of “Tourist Visa on Arrival” (VoA) Scheme in the Jan-Mar 2014 period

New Delhi: There has been a growth of 1.70% in the January-March 2014 period in the number of tourists availing of “Visa on Arrival” scheme as compared to the same period in 2013. During January-March 2014, a total number of 5,841 VoAs were issued as compared to 5,744 VoA during corresponding period of 2013 registering a growth of 1.7%. During the month of March 2014, a total of 1,958 VoAs were issued under this Scheme as compared to 2,107 VoAs during the month of March 2013, registering a decline of 7.1%.

The following are the important highlights of VoAs issued during March, 2014.

1. During the month of March 2014, a total of 1,958 VoAs were issued under this Scheme as compared to 2,107 VoAs during the month of March 2013, registering a decline of 7.1%.
2. During January-March 2014, a total number of 5,841 VoAs were issued as compared to 5,744 VoA during corresponding period of 2013 registering a growth of 1.7%
3. The number of VoAs issued under this scheme during March 2014 for nationals of the eleven countries were Japan (571), Indonesia (373), New Zealand (322), the Philippines (277), Singapore (235), Finland (110), Myanmar (34), Luxembourg (12), Vietnam (11), Cambodia (11) and Laos (2).
4. The number of VoAs issued under the Scheme, during January-March 2014 were Japan (1,537), New Zealand (1,176), Indonesia (929), the Philippines (850), Singapore (766), Finland (361), Myanmar (84), Vietnam (50), Luxembourg (42), Cambodia (41) and Laos (5).
5. During January-March 2014, the highest number of VoAs were issued at New Delhi airport (2,746) followed by Mumbai (1,208), Chennai (721), Kolkata (420), Bangalore (376),Kochi (165), Hyderabad (145) and Trivandrum (60).

As a facilitative measure to attract more foreign tourists to India, the Government launched the “Visa on Arrival” (VoA) Scheme in January 2010 for citizens of five countries, viz. Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore, visiting India for tourism purposes. The Government extended this Scheme to the citizens of six more countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar in January 2011.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.