Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday that the Visa-on-Arrival facility will be available for nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE.
This facility is applicable for tourism, business, conference, and medical purposes, allowing a stay of up to 60 days with double entry. Visa-on-Arrival can be utilized at six designated airports across India, simplifying the process for visitors from these countries and enhancing travel convenience.
In addition to Visa-on-Arrival, the Ministry has expanded the e-visa facility with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), now available to nationals of 167 countries. This e-Visa permits entry through 30 designated international airports and six major seaports, significantly broadening the scope for international travelers to visit India with ease.
The Ministry of Tourism actively conducts need-based tourism surveys, research, and feasibility studies. These initiatives are crucial for developing policies and assessing the effectiveness of existing programs. The data collected through these studies helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that tourism policies meet their intended objectives.
To enhance tourist safety and provide immediate assistance, 15 State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations have deployed tourist police. Additionally, the Ministry has established a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline, available toll-free at 1800-111-363 or via short code 1363. This service supports both domestic and foreign tourists, offering guidance and information in 12 languages, including 10 international languages.
Launched in 2014-15, the Swadesh Darshan scheme aims to develop tourism infrastructure across India. Financial assistance is provided to States, UT Administrations, and Central Agencies. Since its inception, 76 projects under various thematic circuits have been sanctioned, with a revised total amount of Rs 5,287.90 crore, of which Rs 4,944.47 crore have been released. The scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) to promote sustainable and responsible tourism destinations with a tourist-centric approach.
The Ministry also introduced the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) as a Central Sector Scheme. This initiative focuses on the integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations. Under the PRASHAD scheme, Rs 1,621.14 crore have been sanctioned, with Rs 1,024.18 crore already released.
(With ANI Inputs)
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