Planning a last minute trip to India will become a whole lot easier when a new Indian government initiative to launch e-visas takes off.
Applicable in 43 countries, including Australia, the US, Brazil, Germany and Japan, travellers will be able to apply for a visa online. The application will be reviewed and approved within four days.
They can then head to India and pick up their visa at an airport upon arrival.
Incredible India Australia assistant director, Vibahava Tripathi told KarryOn the new system will make travel from Australia to India easier, particularly for last minute travellers.
He also expects it to contribute to the already growing number of Aussies visiting the destination. Last year, 218,967 Australians travelled to India – an increase from 202,105 in 2012.
“There’s no doubt the new scheme will increase travel from Australia to India. More people are planning travel on a short term basis and now they just need to go online and apply and once it is done they can go to India.”
Vibahava Tripathi, Incredible India Australia assistant director
Mr Tripathi said currently the tourism bureau is working with agencies and tour operators to update them on the change. The group will also monitor the e-visas success for the first three months before setting new growth targets.
Image: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock
Under the previous scheme, only 12 countries were able to pickup their visa upon arrival.
However, the new entry system will eventually be available to 43 countries – other destinations also to benefit include Russia, Singapore and South Korea.
India’s unique culture and popular attractions have contributed to the country’s growing foreign visitor arrivals. Last year, 6.97 million travellers visited, an increase from 5.9 percent on 2012.
USA is the largest international market, making up 15.58 percent of all foreign arrivals. The UK is second largest, followed by Bangladesh.
Mr Tripathi said in the interview with KarryOn that India’s diversity is key to its tourism success because it offers culture, history, beaches, monuments and events in one place.
“From north to south it is very different. We have various monuments, different colours, different festivals, yoga meditation, you name it.”
Vibahava Tripathi, Incredible India Australia assistant director
