- UK, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Poland Malaysia on the list
- Facility comes into effect from June 15, 2015
- As on June 8, 2015, Goa issued 16,875 ETVs
Panjim, June 18: The Goa Airport at Dabolim is set to issue E-Tourist Visas (ETVs) to 31 more countries enlisted for this facility granted by the Central government recently. The existing policy had provided this benefit to 45 countries and with the inclusion of 31 more countries the facility is now available for citizens from nearly 75 countries, while the Centre plans to extend this to 150 by next year.
Goa has much to cheer as the long pending demand for including the ETV facility to countries namely UK, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Argentina, Malaysia has finally been met. Goa Airport at Dabolim has already made adequate arrangements for catering to citizens from 75 countries availing of ETV facility at Dabolim. As on June 8, 2015 as many as 16,875 ETVs were issued at the Goa Airport Dabolim. The new list for issue of ETVs has come into effect from June 15, 2015.
The tourism ministry is expecting a good footfall of foreign tourists during the monsoons (June-September) as the new trend has set in of foreign tourists arriving to Goa as Free Independent Travelers (FITs). Records indicate that even though the charter season has shown a marginal dip in arrivals, a sizeable number have arrived to Goa as FITs virtually making up for the loss of charter tourists. However, the tourism ministry is happy to note an increase in tourist arrivals from the Middle East (Iran) as 42 flights arrived from this country along with a huge increase in charter arrivals from Ukraine number 129 flights.
Goa also had a successful season as far as cruise liners are concerned. A total of 25 cruise liners anchored at MPT bringing to Goa 24131 foreign tourists from Europe as against 17 cruise liners which arrived last with bringing in 11356 foreign tourists. Mr. Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism said, “Goa Tourism is looking forward to the new season 2015 commencing in September which will bring in both domestic and foreign tourists in large numbers.” He further said, “Our new initiatives such as the Hot Air Balloon, Amphibious Vessel and Seaplanes will also begin operations and will be a major attraction in the coming season.”
He further pointed out that Goa is also set for monsoon tourism and a lot of activities such as trekking, bike tours, White-Water Rafting will begin in the weeks to come.
[su_highlight background=”#160ce1″ color=”#fafcfc”]Citizens from the following countries are now eligible for ETVs under the new visa policy.[/su_highlight]
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Belgium
Colombia
Cuba
Guatemala
Hungary
Ireland
Jamaica
Malaysia
Malta
Mongolia
Mozambique
Netherlands
Panama
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Slovenia
Spain
St Lucia
St Vincent
Grenadines
Surinam
Sweden
Tanzania
East Timor
Turks
Caicos Islands
UK
Uruguay
Venezuela
