Visa on arrival for US travelers set to boost the Indian tourism industry

India has set plans to proposal visa-on-arrival services to US citizens. The latest announcement of visa on arrival for US travelers to India will help in increasing   the Indian tourism industry. According to tourism experts and economists, this decision will prove to be an innovative step for the Indian tourism industry. The U.S. travelers are considered as the highest spenders among foreign tourists.

With the visa on arrival service, US tourists can be able to stay in the country for up to 30 days. The move is the latest in a series of measures by Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's that wants to boost India's tourism sector. Along with improving infrastructure, he has pledged to continue with plans to expand the Visa on Arrival system to more countries, and to make it available at more entry points.

India received about 6.6 million international travelers in 2016 and 2016 observed a balanced growth to 6.9 million. The U.S. is the largest source market for India in terms of international visitors accounting to 15.8%. A report also suggests that 46% of the U.S. travelers come to India to visit their family and friends and spoil in shopping, traveling and medical services.

India ranks 40 in the world map as far as the number of foreign tourists visiting the country. It is almost one-twelfth of that of France which draws more than 83 million international travelers yearly.

India’s visa on arrival scheme has been a slow starter. During January-July 2016, a total number of 14,415 Visa on Arrival were issued as compared to 10,482 Visa on Arrival during the consistent period in 2016 registering a growth of 37.5%.

Currently, Indian Visa on Arrival is available for citizens of 12 countries. Here is the list of countries is as below:

• Finland

• Japan

• Luxembourg

• New Zealand

• Singapore

• Cambodia

• Indonesia

• Vietnam

• Philippines

• Laos

• Myanmar and

• South Korea.

But the presence of the US could be the start of a much broader plan to open up the Visa on Arrival scheme to up to 180 countries across the world.