Govt looking at easing tourist visa to garner foreign exchange

The Planning Commission has called a joint meeting of Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Tourism Ministry and National Security Advisor in the first week of October

Travel News
Travel News

 Battling rising current account deficit, government is looking at ways to encourage tourist inflow particularly from the West to garner foreign exchange and steps may be taken to ease visa regime.

Taking an initiative in this direction, the Planning Commission has called a joint meeting of Home Ministry,External Affairs Ministry, Tourism Ministry and National Security Advisor in the first week of October.

During the meeting, the officials would discuss the issues related to tourist visas and ways to improve access to that for encouraging foreigners to choose India for holidaying.

"We have called a meeting in October to discuss issues related to tourist visa for India. We are expecting Tourism Ministry, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman and other senior officials from concerned ministries to attend the meeting," Planning Minister Rajeev Shukla told PTI.

The current account deficit is the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign exchange. During the 2012-13, the CAD was at all time high of 4.8 per cent of GDP or USD 88.2 billion. Government proposes to bring it down to USD 70 billion or 3.8 per cent of the GDP.

"Tourism Ministry has flagged strict tourist visa regime as impediment in the growth of foreign visitors in the country which ultimately results is lesser foreign exchange earnings," he added.

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