635.8 PC Growth in Tourists Arrival On E-Tourist Visa

14 January, New Delhi

A 635.8 per cent rise was registered in tourist arrivals on e-Tourist visa in December, 2015 compared to last year.

A total of 1,03,617 tourists arrived in India on e-Tourist Visa in December, 2015 as compared to 14,083 during the month of December, 2014 registering a growth of 635.8 per cent, a spokesperson of the Tourism Ministry said Thursday.

United Kingdom continues to occupy top slot with 23.81 per cent tourist arrivals followed by USA (19.59 per cent) and Russian Federation with 9.33 per cent tourist arrivals.Australia had 5.44 per cent tourist arrivals, Germany (4.86 per cent), France (4.44 per cent), Canada (4.40 per cent), China (3.10 per cent), Republic of Korea (1.83 per cent) and Ukraine (1.67 per cent).

During January- December, 2015 a total of 4,45,300 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 39,046 during January- December, 2014 registering a growth of 1040.4 per cent . This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 113 countries as against coverage of earlier ETA enabled TVoA scheme for 43 countries.

Commencing from November 27, 2014, e-Tourist Visa facility is presently available for citizens of 113 countries arriving at 16 airports in the country.