Extension of TVoA scheme to enhance India-China tourism co-operation

The Dollar Business Bureau In a move towards enhancing tourism cooperation with China, the Government of India expressed its willingness to extend the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) scheme to China. The statement to this effect was made by Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of Tourism, Government of India, on Wednesday. A six-member Chinese delegation led by Wang Zuoan, Minister of Religious Affairs of China, was in New Delhi on Wednesday, where they discussed the exchange of culture, among other issues, for enhanced cooperation with India. Welcoming the delegation, the Indian Minister said that India is keen to further its relation with China and is exploring the possibility of extending the TVoA scheme to China, in this background. Responding to the Indian Minister, the Chinese Minister said the main focus of the delegation’s visit to India is to take the cooperation between India and China ahead, mainly in areas of Buddhist studies and cultural exchange. He further informed about the Buddhist Forum to promote research and Buddhist studies, to be held in China in October. In the meeting, both the sides also agreed to jointly hold the exhibition on Xuang Zang (Hsuan Tsang) in India and China. India, on its side, also proposed to host virtual museums on Indian culture on Chinese platforms. The official release also informed that the Director General, Archeological Survey of India, will be visiting China in future for academics and research on the cave murals of Aurangabad (Ajanta & Ellora) & Dunhuang (China). According to the Ministry of Tourism’s earlier release, the foreign exchange earnings of India have increased 4% in the start of 2015 over the corresponding year. The Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India accounted to a total of 7.90 lakh during January, 2015, over 7.59 lakh in the corresponding year and the number during January 2013 was at 7.20 lakh in number. The United States of America (16.35%) stood highest in the percentage share of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) during January, 2015, among the top 15 source countries. This was followed by United Kingdom (11.82%), Bangladesh (9.29%), Canada (4.70%), Australia (3.63%), Russian Federation (3.50%), France (3.16%), among others. The latest move by the Ministry of Tourism towards extending tourism cooperation with China stands in line with the UNWTO’s region-wise positive outlook for 2015, which says the tourism growth is expected to be stronger in Asia and Pacific regions (4% to 5%), more than the growth in Europe and Africa.    

This article was published on April 2, 2015.