Lok Sabha Question No. 2084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Visa on Arrival
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Biplab Kumar Deb, Shri Dharambir Singh, Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2084

## ANSWERED ON 05.08.2024

## VISA ON ARRIVAL

## 2084 SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:

SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  extended  the  'Visa  on  Arrival' facility since 2014 to promote the tourism sector;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  tourism  surveys, State-wise;
- (e) if so, the objectives and details thereof; and
- (f) the details of the steps taken by the Government to simplify visa formalities, enhancing security and upgrade infrastructure in the tourism sector?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (c): Yes, Visa-on-Arrival facility is available to nationals of Japan, South  Korea  and  UAE  for  Tourism,  Business,  conference  and  medical purposes for 60 days with double entry for entry through 06 designated airports.
- (d) and (e): Ministry of Tourism  conducts  need  based  tourism survey/research/studies/feasibility studies in the field of tourism. These surveys/studies  form  the  basis  for  development  of  policies  and  are critical  to  understand  whether  policies  and  programmes  are  meeting our intended objectives and identifying areas for improvement.

(f): E-Visa facility with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), is presently  available  to  nationals  of  167  countries  for  entry  through  30 designated international airports and '06 major seaports'.

With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, 15 State Governments/UT Administrations  have  deployed tourist police in  one  form  or  the  other. The Ministry of Tourism has also set up a 24x7 MultiLingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information relating to Travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.

The Ministry of Tourism launched its Swadesh Darshan scheme in the  year  2014-15  under  which  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  the States/UT  Administrations/Central  Agencies  etc.,  for  development  of Tourism  Infrastructure in the country. The  financial assistance  is provided  in  consultation  with  States/UT  Administrations  etc.  Since  its inception  in  2014-15  till  2018-19,  a  total  number  of  76  projects  under identified  thematic  circuits,  have  been  sanctioned  in  the  country  for  a revised  sanction  amount  of Rs.5287.90Crore,  out  of  which  Rs.4944.47 Crore have been released. The Ministry has revamped  its  Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop  sustainable  and  responsible  tourism  destinations,  following  a tourist & destination centric approach.

The Ministry of Tourism launched the 'National Mission on Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive (PRASHAD) as a Central Sector Scheme with the objective of integrated development  of  identified  pilgrimage  destinations.  Ministry  of  Tourism has sanctioned Rs.1621.14 Crore under PRASHAD Scheme out of which Rs.1024.18 Crore released.

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