1,404 visas on arrival issued in September: Tourism Ministry

NEW DELHI: Japanese tourists availed nearly half of the 1,404 visas on arrival (VoAs) issued in September this year, the Tourism Ministry said.

A total 1,404 VoAs were issued to tourists from 11 countries in September as compared to 991 issued during the same period last year, registering a growth of 41.7 per cent.

While Japan topped the list with 541 tourists followed by New Zealand (256), Philippines (236), Indonesia (175) and Singapore (135), the Tourism Ministry said.

Only two and four tourists availed the scheme from Laos and Luxembourg respectively, it added.

The government has launched the VoA scheme for 11 countries -- Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos and Myanmar -- to attract more foreign tourists.

During the period between January-September this year, a total number of 10,816 VoAs were issued as compared to 8,505 VoAs during the corresponding period last year, registering a growth of 27.2 per cent.

Besides Delhi, international airports at Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are equipped with the VoA facility.