MoT likely to waive off 50 per cent Visa fee for Commonwealth natives

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is likely to waive off 50 per cent of the Visa fee charged from visitors of Commonwealth nations as an incentive to boost declining number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs). This is part of its effort to incentivise tourism to India for the Commonwealth Games to be held in October this year.  A source from MoT informed that expense of the proposal to waive off 50 per cent of Visa fee will be borne by MoT. According to a report in Times of India, the Visa fee waiver will supplement the promotions. For the same, MoT is currently in talks with hotels, travel agents and tour operators for extending these incentives for another year.

There are 54 members of the Commonwealth nations of which visitors from UK, Australia and Canada form a large part of India's tourist inflow. India received 5.11 million tourists in 2009 of which 0.5 million were from Commonwealth nations. Sources estimate an upward expense of Rs 75 crore if the waiver plan comes through as Visa fees are fixed on a reciprocal basis.