Extend VoA facility to Russian and Scandinavian countries: TTAG

 PANAJI: Though Visa on arrival (VoA) facility has been extended to Goa airport along with Trivandrum, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi airports Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) feels it will not help to bring much tourism inflow to Goa.

TTAG President Francisco de Braganca said VoA facility should have been extended to countries like Russian and Scandinavian countries which have direct charter operations in Goa.

At the third inter-ministerial coordination committee meeting held in Delhi this week, it was decided to extend the facility of tourist VoA at Goa airport.

Welcoming the Centre's decision Braganca however said VoA facility would have been a bigger boost to Goa in comparison to other destinations in India if such a facility was extended to Russia, Scandinavian countries and Western Europe.

Except for Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia do not have much tourism business coming into Goa.

"We therefore need to push the Central Government to include Russia, other Scandinavian countries, Western Europe including UK," he said.

The TTAG had been demanding VoA for foreign tourists for many years.

TTAG is also of the opinion that fees for VoA has to rationalized as done by some other tourist hotspots.

"Tourist destinations like Sri Lanka and South East are getting into the free visa on arrival mode as they feel the economic benefit of increased numbers off sets the loss on account of not charging any visa fees. Tourism destinations like Goa must offer such differential treatment," he said.

Sourced: Cambodia News