The Government of India has amended its Visa Manual to extend the collective landing permits facility with effect from 1st April 2013.
The foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea and sponsored by Indian travel agencies approved by the Ministry of Tourism and with a pre-drawn itinerary will be granted Collective Landing Permit for a period not exceeding 60 days, with multiple entry facilities. In order to avail this facility the tourists or travel agencies shall mandatorily fill in an application online.
To boost tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, as part of its on-going activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets, under the “Incredible India” brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country and to increase foreign tourist arrivals to the country.
In addition, a series of promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad with the objective of showcasing India’s tourism potential and promoting tourism to the country.
These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising road shows, “Know India” seminars & workshops; organizing and supporting Indian food and cultural festivals; publication of brochures, offering joint advertising and brochure support, and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.
The Marketing Development Assistance Scheme (MDA), administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, provides financial support to approved tourism service providers, i.e. hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators for undertaking the following tourism promotional activities abroad:-
(a) Sales-cum-study tour
(b) Participation in Fairs/Exhibitions and Road Shows
(c) Publicity through printed material
Tourism Departments of all States and Union Territories (UTs) are also eligible for benefits under the MDA Scheme for participation in Fairs/Exhibitions and Road Shows held overseas.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) Shri K. Chiranjeevi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
