The coming year could be one of cheer for the Indian travel and hospitality industry that has been facing the rough weather for long. Government measures like extension of tourist visa on arrival (VoA), electronic travel authorisation (ETA), lifting restrictions on gaps for re-entry are all likely to trigger an uptake in 2015.
This time around, more properties anddestinations have recorded higher bookings as compared to what it was last year. According to a few industry experts, both leisure and corporate travels this year have been on the higher side since July and is expected to see a 15% growth year-on-year.
Till November this year, as per the provisional data released by the ministry of tourism, the number of foreign tourist arrivals has gone up by 7.1% to 65.8 lakh. The decision to extende-visa facility for tourists from 43 countries, including the US, Australia, Israel and Japan is viewed as a significant move to boost foreign tourist arrivals in the country. Earlier, the scheme was only used to operate for 12 countries. This will allow tourists to come into India within 30 days from the date of approval of ETA which will be valid for 30 days-stay from the arrival date.
Nine international airports such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram have been allowed under this scheme.
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