Team Herald
PANJIM: The launch of e-tourist visa scheme last year, has notched a tremendous growth of international tourists visiting the State with Russians topping the chart followed by British nationals. The facility has also encouraged Free Independent Travellers (FITs) other than tourists flying to Goa via charters.
As per the records of tourist department, a whopping 20,258 ETVs have been issued to Russians at Dabolim airport, 7,000 to the UK nationals and 5,966 to Ukrainians out of a total 37,199 ETVs issued till December 10, 2015.
Out of the 113 countries listed by the central government, foreign nationals from as many as 65 countries have so far availed of this facility through an expeditious process at Dabolim airport. The airport data indicates that around 500-600 ETVs are issued on a daily basis to foreign national arriving via charter flights and as FITs.
“It is very encouraging to see an increase in FITs to Goa. This section of tourists are generally big spenders and will be drawn to Goa with high end initiatives recently introduced by Goa tourism,” Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said.
Besides the top three nations, foreign nationals from Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Malaysia, Jordan, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, China, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, UAE, Oman and other countries have benefitted from the facility.
The ETV facility, launched by the Central Government in November 2014 was commenced in Goa from December 2014 after all processes were put in place to ensure smooth and efficient services for tourists seeking ETVs on arrival.
The tourism official state that they have aggressively campaigned the ETV facility at the WTM in London and are optimistic that more British tourists will visit Goa this season compared to previous years.
Goa tourism has also been marketing tourism to world through its participation in international travel and tourism events, fairs, exhibitions and road shows. It has confirmed that results are emerging especially from those countries where it has made its presence felt and competed with other tourism boards. The State is also gearing for the last fortnight of the year with various events and activities already planned.
