TAAI Welcomes MHA’s Move to Re-start Tourist-Visa

THE VOICE OF CHANDIGARH NEWS|TRAVEL TRADE REPORTER

Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) welcomes the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decision to re-start tourist visa for foreign travellers coming to India on chartered flights from October 15th. TAAI, India’s largest and nodal travel trade association, has requested its members across its 20 regions and chapters, to ensure they update all incoming visitors on protocols set by the state governments where the passengers will be travelling to.

Commending the move, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI said they welcome the move as a date has finally been given by the government to resume inbound travel and they are happy to acknowledge the announcement of resumption of Tourist Visa to foreigners coming to India on charter flights from 15th October & further for others effective 15th November 2021. “We hope commercial flights will start beyond air bubbles effective 15th November to facilitate seamless travel. TAAI along with FAITH have submitted numerous representations requesting the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Tourism, Health and External Affairs on the subject. Our results have now finally yielded some relief & members can start planning.” She also added that the government has decided to opt for ‘reciprocal treatment’ to the applicants under new visa conditions. As per reports, the visa facilitation will now depend on the applicant’s home country’s policy for the Indian tourists.

“We are pleased to note that Indian borders are opening & inbound travel will see light soon. This will be a great relief to the travel trade fraternity of India as the business will surely pick up & after a long gap our members will be able to transact more business. Tourism both inbound & outbound needs to revive”, added Jay Bhatia, Vice President, TAAI.

Bettaiah Lokesh, Honorary Secretary General, TAAI, sharing his views said that restarting flights be it charter or regular ones will certainly give confidence to travellers looking at visiting India for tourism purposes & we will not miss out on the entire season.

‘Our priority should be to work towards containing the virus by following correct protocols and safety norms to infuse confidence in tourists coming to India,’ said Shreeram Patel, Honorary Treasurer, TAAI.