- On January 25, India celebrates National Tourism Day and it commemorates the expansive and thriving industry which the country has to its credits
- India’s Ministry of Tourism is chalking out schemes to commence inbound travel for international travellers in close accordance with the visions of the stakeholders in the industry
- As per reports, deliberation between the ministry and top industry leaders were in motion recently
THoD Newsdesk, India: On January 25, India celebrates National Tourism Day and it commemorates the expansive and thriving industry which the country has to its credits. The day also recognizes and celebrates the travel sector’s growth graph, inclusive of domestic and international exposure and sustainability of the local communities around as well.
On similar lines, to propel the travel industry especially after the pandemic’s impact, India’s Ministry of Tourism is chalking out schemes to commence inbound travel for international travellers in close accordance with the visions of the stakeholders in the industry.
As per reports, deliberation between the ministry and top industry leaders were in motion recently and officials received detailed reviews from the industry stakeholders on the government’s proposals to restart inbound travel. A set of guidelines is also being forged for the restoration of tourist visas in the context of COVID-19, according to a source.
Further, the government officials are also drafting a document describing the SOPs for international tourists visiting the country on a fixed itinerary, inclusive of pre-booked hotels and domestic flights.
As per the proposed precepts, apart from the present SOP, international tourists arriving in India would also need to stick to the issued directives and other advisories issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Civil Aviation. Foreign nationals would also need to identify a recognised tour operator and arrange for a fixed itinerary for the time period which they want to invest in their travelling plans.
All arriving passengers would either have to present a vaccination certificate or an issued COVID-19 negative report, at least 72 hours before the scheduled travel or physically, after arrival at the respective airports. The proposed guidelines also advise tourists to stay informed through their tour operator or from the Ministry of Health’s website about the current COVID status in India and the existing operating procedures/advisories available on the website of the Ministry.
Additionally, the tourists would also have to submit a self-declaration form on the online portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel or physically after arrival at the respective health counters. As the guidelines go, tourists will be able to submit the vaccination completion certificate for getting exemption from institutional quarantine or else they shall get a negative RT-PCR test report for COVID-19, 72 hours prior to travel. The results will have to be uploaded on the online portal or presented to the Airport Health Officer upon arrival. They may also seek exemption from institutional quarantine by getting themselves tested at the airports where such provisions exist. Failure to produce a vaccination certificate/negative RT-PCR test report may entail the following institutional quarantine.
Tourists will also be advised to monitor their health and avoid travel if they have any symptoms of COVID prior to departure. Under the proposed guidelines, travellers will also be required to download the Aarogya Setu app while practising the COVID-19 norms, like social distancing, wearing a mask and so on.
It is also to be remembered that guests who are at higher risk, i.e., those who are older, pregnant or those who have underlying medical conditions, will have to undertake extra precautions. They are also being advised to follow in-room dining practises.
