The Goa government has recently proposed a "visa on arrival" (VoA) facility to attract more foreign tourists and boost international tourism. This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by foreign visitors, such as cumbersome visa processes and limited direct international flights, which have hindered the state's tourism growth. This move is expected to simplify the visa process and make Goa more accessible to international travelers.
Currently, Foreign tourists often face delays and complications in obtaining visas, which has led to a decline in international arrivals. For instance, in 2022, only 1.7 lakh foreign tourists visited Goa, compared to 9.3 lakh in 2018. Goa is also facing competition and losing tourists to countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, which offer visa-free entry or VoA facilities. Stakeholders argue that simplifying the visa process is crucial to competing with these destinations.
Tourism is a vital part of Goa's economy, contributing significantly to the state's GDP and providing employment to a large portion of the population. The government believes that the VoA facility will help revive the tourism sector, especially after the setbacks caused by the pandemic.
In the past, Goa has been benefited from VoA facilities. In 2014, the central government extended VoA to 43 countries, leading to a 15% growth in tourism. However, the current proposal seeks to expand this facility further to attract more tourists.
Local tourism stakeholders, including hoteliers and shack owners, have also strongly supported the VoA proposal. They argue that foreign tourists, especially charter tourists, are crucial for the survival of businesses like beach shacks, which have suffered due to declining international arrivals.
It is a positive and proactive approach taken by the Goa government to push for a VoA facility. It is a strategic move to enhance the state's appeal as a global tourism destination. By addressing visa-related challenges and improving air connectivity, Goa aims to attract more foreign tourists and strengthen its tourism-driven economy. In the long term this initiative can benefit in sustainable growth in tourism in Goa.
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