The number of tourists that arrived on e-Tourist Visa in May 2016 was 43,833, as compared to 15,659 in May 2015.
The number of foreigners arriving in India on e-Tourist Visa stood at 43,833 at the end of May, a rise of 179.9% compared to the same month 2015, a report by Assocham says.
A total of 43,833 tourists arrived this May on e-Tourist Visa compared to 15,659 during May 2015, the report said on Wednesday.
During the January-May period this year, a total of 4,34,927 tourists arrived on as compared to 1,10,657 during the same period last year, registering a growth of 293.0%, the report said. Commencing from November 27, 2014, the e-Tourist Visa facility was available until February 25, 2016 for citizens of 113 countries arriving at 16 airports in India.
After that, the Government of India has extended this facility for citizens of 37 more countries from February 26, 2016 taking the tally to 150 countries. This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 150 countries as against the earlier coverage of 43 countries, the report stated.
US with 18.52% stands top of the list among the top 10 countries availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during this May, the report said. UK with 15.63% is second on the list while China is third with 8.17% per cent availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during the same period. France contributed 5.16%, followed by Germany (4.91%), Australia (4.50%), Canada (4.49%), UAE (3.01%), Russian Fed (2.79%) and Malaysia (2.12%), the report said.
On the percentage shares of top 10 airports in the tourist arrivals on e-Tourist Visa during the same period, New Delhi Airport is the leader with 45.11% while Mumbai recorded 22.50% and Bengaluru 9%. Among other airports, Chennai registered 6.63%, while Kochi witnessed 3.68%, Goa (2.86%), Hyderabad (2.75%) Kolkata (2.63%) with Trivandrum (1.42%) and Ahmedabad (1.26%), the report said.
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