Lack of E-Visa Option for Visitors from UK and Canada May Hinder Inbound Tourism Peak
"Delhi's Tourism Woes"
Tourism stakeholders in India are bracing for a potential blow, as they fear the withdrawal of the e-visa facility for UK and Canadian citizens could ravage their businesses during the upcoming October 2022 - March 2023 tourism season. Aashish Gupta, the consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), has emphasized the importance of these markets, with the UK and Canada contributing over 10% of Indian inbound tourism combined. Moreover, the UK accounts for nearly half of Western Europe's tourism to India.
UK and Canadian tourists not only contribute tourists in droves, but also diversity to India's tourist demographic. Approximately 45% of these travelers are women, and an average of 20% fall within the 50+ age bracket. Furthermore, adverse media attention from these source markets could negatively influence sentiments in other markets, hindering the much-needed revival of inbound tourism.
The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) recently petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging intervention to restore e-visas for UK, Canadian, and other tourists. The IATO forebodes that, if the government does not promptly act, this tourism season could be lost. Currently, it takes 6-8 weeks to secure a regular tourist visa in the UK, a wait time fitting to deter even the most ardent explorers.
In March 2020, a Covid-19 surge necessitated the suspension of the e-tourist visa facility, accessible to citizens of 166 countries, including the UK and Canada. While the government reinstated the facility for 156 countries in March 2022, the UK, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, among others, were excluded for unspecified "security reasons."
E-visas are one of the primary means of streamlining travel for tourism and other purposes. If e-visas were withdrawn for UK and Canadian citizens, potential reasons might include security concerns, political tensions, or economic factors. Conversely, the withdrawal of e-visas could lead to fewer tourists, economic losses for local businesses, and strained diplomatic relations, given the significant role tourism plays in many countries' economies.
- The withdrawal of e-visa facilities for UK and Canadian citizens could potentially impact the finance of local businesses in the tourism sector during the October 2022 - March 2023 tourism season, as these markets contribute over 10% of Indian inbound tourism combined and their absence could lead to economic losses.
- Furthermore, the lifestyle and travel preferences of UK and Canadian tourists, who contribute a considerable number of women and older travelers to India's tourist demographic, bring diversity and fiscal benefits to the country, making their continued visit crucial for the revival of the Indian tourism industry.
