In an effort to boost international tourism, the Indian government is working on implementing visa-on-arrival for countries that send the highest number of tourists to India. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, announced this initiative during the 54th annual convention of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) on October 16, 2024. The measure aims to attract more foreign visitors, with inbound tourism still lagging behind pre-Covid levels despite domestic travel seeing significant growth.
The tourism ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs to promote India as a top global destination in key markets. Recently, India granted 100,000 free visas in celebration of World Tourism Day, a move intended to attract more international tourists. The government is also focusing on reducing congestion at popular tourist spots by developing new destinations, with a Rs 5,600-crore project underway to enhance three locations in Jammu and Kashmir.
