Team Herald
PANJIM: The Ministry of Home Affairs’ recent decision to include short term yoga programs in Tourist and E-Tourist Visas (ETV) has not generated any interest among local tourism stakeholders who feel the State is already known for beach yoga tourism.
“The fresh inclusion of yoga program in the list of itineraries for the foreign tourists is essentially to boost its popularity across the world. In Goa, several foreign nationals take up yoga classes during their stay. It does not make a big different to us,” a senior Tourism Department official told Herald.
MHA’s decision includes attending a short term yoga program in the list of permissible activities under Tourist Visa besides which, short duration medical treatment under Indian systems of medicine is also included in the list of permissible activities under ETV.
“Yoga is not a compulsory element as far as I understand the announcement made by the Centre,” Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Francisco de Braganca said.
adding, “Goa is anyway popular for beach yoga besides other facets of tourism. There are various private individuals conducting classes and mega events along the beachside. I don’t see why this additional inclusion.”
A tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, short duration medical treatment or casual visits. All Indian Missions abroad and Foreigners Regional Registration Officers/Foreigners Registration Officers in the country have been informed to take action as per amendments.
“A foreigner on travel visa is eager to explore India’s tradition and culture. Including yoga as a part of tourism activity will create awareness and popularity in different countries. It is a good move to promote yoga through tourism but in Goa, meditation and yoga is common among majority foreign visitors,” another TTAG official said.
