INDIA READIES FOR TOURISTS, TO ALLOW CHARTER FLIGHTS

Vaccinated foreign tourists would be allowed to visit India on charter flights as the government plans to relax restrictions to enter the country. An announcement regarding the modalities and the date from which leisure travel can resume is expected by the end of this month.

Last March, the government clamped down on overseas air travel to curb the spread of Covid-19. While businesspersons, healthcare professionals, technical specialists and overseas citizens of India have been allowed since last year, leisure travellers are still denied entry.

Now, the government plans to open the doors to foreign tourists in a phased manner given the decline in Covid-19 cases and widespread vaccination.

An official in the know of the developments said inter-ministerial discussions are going on and to begin with, vaccinated tourists would be permitted to come to India on charter flights. “It will be a calibrated opening. A decision is expected in around a week,” he said.

Subhash Goyal, chairman of Stic Travels, added that the government should restart scheduled international flights with the opening of leisure travel. “Allowing foreign tourists but keeping scheduled flights under suspension will not serve any purpose. We have been in touch with our overseas trade partners and we can expect good demand in the winter season if a decision is announced now.”

The Union home ministry did not immediately respond to a query on the matter.

In 2019, over 10.9 million foreign tourists visited India and contributed to over $30 billion in foreign exchange earnings.

As part of the economic stimulus plan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had in June said 500,000 tourist visas would be issued free of charge upon reopening borders. The scheme would be applicable till March 31, 2022, and would reduce government income by around ~100 crore, she had said.