The government’s decision to issue new tourist visas for those arriving by charter planes from Friday has drawn a sharp reaction from the travel industry, which says the move is too small to help anyone reap any benefits during the travel season. has come late.
“Unfortunately, charter operations in Europe are planned 6 to 8 months in advance and we have already booked for destinations like Dominican Republic, Mexico, Maldives and Kenya. India has come too late to open itself up to foreign tourists, and a sudden influx of foreign tourists is unlikely at this stage,” said JJ Singh, President, Indo Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and IATA Travel Agents. President Poland, told Hindu from Warsaw.
According to a DGCA official, till Friday they had received only a few queries on charter operations but no formal application for chartered flights. He said that they were waiting for detailed guidelines to get more clarity on important issues like RT-PCR test etc for the incoming passengers.
While the government has said that from November 15 fresh visas will be issued to foreign tourists entering India by flights other than chartered aircraft, travel and tour operators have been left disappointed.
“The government has given us bullets, but there is no gun to use them. How will tourists come to India if the government does not resume scheduled international flights,” said Subhash Goyal, president, Stick Travels.
India allows international travel only with 28 countries with which it has signed air bubble agreements.
“The decision shows that the government is not opening with confidence. Without opening international flights, the government will fail to capitalize on the tourist season and help revive the industry,” said Jyoti Mayal, president, Travel Agents Association of India.
Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism said Hindu That initially the government had planned to issue visas only to those who come from one of the 28 countries with which India had air bubble agreements. Sources also said that the civil aviation ministry may consult to expand the air bubble to more countries as well as increase the number of flights that already had bubble tie-ups based on travel demand. .
But a lot of ground work has to be done if India is to ensure hassle-free travel for tourists from November 15.
“We welcome the decision announced by the government. However, it should be accompanied by back-end work for opening commercial international flights as well as e-visa documentation so that people do not face hurdles. In addition, there is a need to initiate branding activity in the source markets and the government needs to talk to various countries to ensure that there is seamless entry and exit to and from India and that passengers are allowed to enter and exit from India when they are on their way to and from India. return to their country, they are not subjected to quarantine. Ashish Gupta of Federation of Associations of Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH).