Finally there is a Government in India who is taking steps to boost tour and travel industry like no other Government did in the past. In the union budget 2014, various initiatives have been announced by the Finance Minister for the welfare of tourism industry.
The facility of issuing electronic visa will be introduced in next six months at 9 major airports of India for countries like United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Russia. The e-visa facility will be extended to other Indian airports in a phased manner. The government sources say India could receive an additional more than one million tourists with $2.5 billion extra income. Union tourism minister Shripad Naik also wants to reduce visa fees significantly (to $25 from current fees of $100). Details of countries being offered e-Tourist Visa, eligibility and application process.
The new Indian government is also looking to lower the air fares to encourage foreign tourists visiting India and to stop the travelers getting diverted to countries like Maldives, Sri Lanka and Malaysia which offer cheaper air fares than India.
Another major step announced by the Finance Minister is to spend Rs 500 Crores to develop five tourism circuits based on specific themes. There is also a special scheme called National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive to promote heritage tourism with a total fund of Rs 100 Crores. A total sum of Rs 200 Crores has been allocated for the conservation of pilgrimage cities like Gaya, Mathura, Amritsar, Kanchipuram, Ajmer and Vellankani under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana.
The famous Buddhist circuit that includes Sarnath, Gaya and Varanasi cities will be developed with world class tourist amenities. Efforts will be made to preserve these archaeological sites with a fund of Rs 100 Crore. If interested see details of 13 nights/ 14 days Buddhist Tour in India offered by Shine Gold Tours.
All these steps must improve India's global ranking in tourism competitiveness, India's current ranking is 65 out of 140 countries according to a survey conducted by World Economic Forum.
The facility of issuing electronic visa will be introduced in next six months at 9 major airports of India for countries like United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Russia. The e-visa facility will be extended to other Indian airports in a phased manner. The government sources say India could receive an additional more than one million tourists with $2.5 billion extra income. Union tourism minister Shripad Naik also wants to reduce visa fees significantly (to $25 from current fees of $100). Details of countries being offered e-Tourist Visa, eligibility and application process.
The famous Buddhist circuit that includes Sarnath, Gaya and Varanasi cities will be developed with world class tourist amenities. Efforts will be made to preserve these archaeological sites with a fund of Rs 100 Crore. If interested see details of 13 nights/ 14 days Buddhist Tour in India offered by Shine Gold Tours.
 |
| Spiritual Tourism in India |
Great steps by Govt.
ReplyDelete