April tourist arrivals on e-visa grow 266%

The number of foreign tourists visiting India using e-tourist visas has increased exponentially as 70,045 tourists arrived last month as compared to 19,139 during the same period last year, registering a growth of 266 per cent. The UK continues to occupy the top slot, followed by the US and Russia among the countries availing e-tourist visa facility. The growth was equally significant during the first four months this year as 3,91,094 tourists arrived on e-tourist visa from January to April compared to 94,998 during the same period last year, recording a growth of 311.7 per cent, according to an official release.

Launched on November 27, 2014, the facility is currently available for citizens of 150 countries arriving at 16 airports in India. "This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-tourist visa for 150 countries as against the earlier coverage of 43 countries," the release said. The UK topped in March with 18.82 per cent availing the facility, followed by the US (14.08 per cent), Russia (8.16 per cent), France (7.12 per cent), China (6.31 per cent), Australia (4.67 per cent).