India Tourists’ arrival on E-Tourist Visa jumps 56.6% Y/Y in Dec 2016

New Delhi: In India, a total of  1,62,250 foreign tourists arrived in December  2016 on e-tourist visa as compared to 1,03,617 during the month of December 2015 registering a growth of 56.6% (year-on-year basis). UK (22.4%) continues to occupy top slot followed by USA (16.4%) and Russia (7.7%) amongst countries availing e-tourist visa facility during December 2016, said Union Ministry of Tourism in a release.

The facility of e-visa has been made available by the Government of India to the citizens of 161 countries, arriving at 16 international airports in India. The number of e-tourist visa availed by foreign tourists visiting India during the month of December, 2016 has registered a substantial growth rate over the corresponding month of 2015.  

During the month of December 2016 a total of 1,62,250 foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visa as compared to 1,03,617 during the month of December, 2015 registering a growth of 56.6%. Meanwhile, during January- December 2016, a total of 10,79,696 tourist arrived on e-tourist visa as compared to 4,45,300 during January-December 2015, registering a growth of  142.5%. This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-tourist visa for 161 countries as against the earlier coverage of 113 countries.