India could soon reopen its doors to foreign tourists from countries where the Covid situation is under control, by following all required health protocol.
Government officials on Thursday said inter-ministerial talks are on for a “calibrated resumption of tourist visas on a country-specific basis”. Owing to Covid, India had in last March suspended most visas issued to foreigners. Later, it allowed foreigners with certain visa types — except tourist — to travel here.
“It is crucial to reopen India to international tourists. We are doing below-average-rate business. Hotels in leisure destinations (like Goa, Rajasthan and Kerala) have 65% to 70% occupancy because of strong revenge travel by domestic travellers. City hotels have 30%-35% occupancy and overall occupancy is about 50%,” said Nakul Anand, ITC executive director and chairman of Federation of Associations of Indian Tourism and Hospitality.
Anand was speaking at an event of the tourism body here on Thursday. A joint report by the tourism ministry and FAITH says international tourism activity may return to pre-Covid levels in two-three years.
Government officials on Thursday said inter-ministerial talks are on for a “calibrated resumption of tourist visas on a country-specific basis”. Owing to Covid, India had in last March suspended most visas issued to foreigners. Later, it allowed foreigners with certain visa types — except tourist — to travel here.
“It is crucial to reopen India to international tourists. We are doing below-average-rate business. Hotels in leisure destinations (like Goa, Rajasthan and Kerala) have 65% to 70% occupancy because of strong revenge travel by domestic travellers. City hotels have 30%-35% occupancy and overall occupancy is about 50%,” said Nakul Anand, ITC executive director and chairman of Federation of Associations of Indian Tourism and Hospitality.
Anand was speaking at an event of the tourism body here on Thursday. A joint report by the tourism ministry and FAITH says international tourism activity may return to pre-Covid levels in two-three years.
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