Goa proposes visa on arrival for tourists

Goa is most likely to put pressure on the Central government to introduce visa on arrival scheme for foreign tourist for manifold jump in the number of tourist arrival which is currently less than 2.5 million a year. Tourism Minister for Goa Francesco Xavier Pacedo said Goa along with other states will approach the government at the Centre for introducing visa on arrival for foreign tourist.

Though he said there will not be any compromise on the matters relating to security. At the tenth Arabian Travel Mart, the travel show in the region points out that Indians are given visa on arrival in countries like Oman and Sri Lanka to boost tourism.

The Minister said as lack of direct flights to Goa has hampered the growth of tourism, his government was in talks with Emirates and Air-India to start direct flights from Dubai to Goa. Currently on Indian Airlines flies direct from Sharjah to Goa. He said Goa would soon open its tourist office in the Gulf, preferably in Dubai, so as to have own booking counter for attracting tourists from the region.