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India reverses tourism visa decision
India has overturned a decision not to accept tourist visa applications by post following protests from tour operators and travellers.
Leena Nandan, joint secretary to the Indian tourism ministry, confirmed at World Travel Market that the move only to accept personal applications for visas had been reversed.
“We have been aware of this concern and we have reversed this decision in the last four or five days,” she said.
Tour operators to India had voiced concern over the measure introduced in the summer which was leading to long queues for visas forming at the High Commission in London.
The U-turn comes as India expects the UK to remain the leading source country for overseas tourists following 700,000 arrivals in 2006 and anticipated growth of as much as 14% a year.
India has set a target of more than doubling overall tourist arrivals to 10 million by 2010 when the country will host the Commonwealth Games.
As a result it is to introduce long term visas of five years duration to provide multiple entry into the country.
by Phil Davies
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