Recent restrictions in tourist visa procedures appear to have done little to dampen the spirits of foreign tourists.NRI investments in India | Forex Converter | How NRIs can optimise spending, maximise savings
The visa-on-arrival scheme extended to five countries over a period of one year has proved to be a runaway success with as many as 1,793 visas issued so far. The most number of tourists have come from Singapore, followed by Finland and New Zealand.
Tourism minister Kumari Selja said introduction of the scheme had already sent a positive signal about India's intention to welcome foreign tourists. "Eighteen countries have been granted the facility of long-term visa by India.
These measures are expected to give a fillip and much required impetus to the tourism industry in the country," she said.
Between January-March 2010, the number of visas issued to tourists coming from Singapore was 642, Finland 466 and New Zealand 378.
About 298 tourists availed of the visa on arrival facility from Japan but only nine from Luxembourg.
Sources said the maximum number of visas were issued from Delhi (957) followed by Mumbai (418), Chennai (342) and Kolkata (76).
The scheme has contributed to an increasing number of foreign tourist arrivals to India in the last one month adding forex earnings of more than Rs 5,500 crore in March this year.
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