The introduction of visa-on-arrival facility enabled electronic travel authorization (ETA) for 43 nations. In addition to ETA, the ministry has introduced welcome cards for overseas visitors and started a long-awaited tourist helpline.
With the initiation of ETA for countries such as Germany, US, Israel and Russia around 16,000 visas were processed from 27 November. The ministry is planning to extend the facility to around 150 nations.
Notably, 6.8 million travellers visited the country between January and November, which marked the highest count representing an increase of 7.1 percent this year.
Sources stated that welcome cards consists of all the important numbers including helpline and will be given to all overseas tourists at international airports. The helpline number will be operational in both Hindi and English language and is available round the clock for travelers.
There are plans to add 10 foreign languages to the helpline service number, which will help tourists during any urgent circumstance including crime, medical and natural calamities. Additionally, in order to facilitate easy entry of travellers to Humayun Tomb and Taj Mahal, e-ticketing was introduced on pilot basis.
