Sept tourist arrivals on e-visa grow 116.9%

This festival season, it seemed that the global travelling community headed for India. Reason: There was a 116.9 per cent growth registered in the Foreign Tourists Arrival (FTAs) on e-tourist visa in September. 

It was United Kingdom that continued to occupy the top slot followed by USA and China amongst the countries availing e-tourist visa facility during September 2016, according to data released by Tourism Ministry.

“A total of 68,809 foreign tourists arrived in September 2016 on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 31,729 during the month of September 2015 registering a growth of 116.9%. UK (15.5%) continues to occupy top slot followed by USA (12.4%) and China (9.0%) amongst countries availing e-tourist visa facility During September 2016,” said the statement issued by Union Tourism Ministry.  

The facility of e-Tourist Visa has been made available by the Central government to the citizens of 150 countries, arriving at 16 International Airports in India. The number of e-Tourist Visa availed by foreign tourists visiting India during the month of September, 2016 has registered a substantial growth rate over the corresponding month of 2015.

The statement issued by Ministry of Tourism further stated that during January- September 2016, a total of 6,75,302 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 2,01,705 during January-September 2015, registering a growth of  234.8%. This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 150 countries as against the earlier coverage of 113 countries.  

The percentage shares of top 10 source countries availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during  September, 2016  included UK (15.5%), USA (12.4%), China (9.0%), Australia (6.0%), Germany (4.8%), France (4.3%), Spain (3.6%), Canada (3.1%), UAE (2.6%) and Malaysia (2.6%). Meanwhile, the percentage shares of top 10 ports in tourist arrivals on e-Tourist Visa during September, 2016 included New Delhi Airport (51.71%), Mumbai Airport (21.06%), Bengaluru Airport (6.44%), Chennai Airport (6.27%), Kochi Airport (3.50%), Hyderabad Airport (2.45%), Kolkata Airport (2.34%), Trivandrum Airport (1.35%), Amritsar Airport (1.18%) and Dabolim (Goa) Airport (1.11%).