Panaji, Feb 23 (IANS) Over 10,000 foreign tourists, more than half of which are Russians, availed of the newly-introduced Visa on Arrival (VOA) facility at the Dabolim international airport in Goa, the state tourism department said Monday.
In a statement here, the department said that as on Feb 22 this year, 10,475 foreign nationals from 26 countries have availed the VOA facility for arrival in Goa led by Russia (6581) and Ukraine (3113).
The VOA scheme was launched at over a dozen select international airports, including Goa's Dabolim facility, by the union home ministry in November last year and is aimed at boosting tourism through simplified arrival mechanism and cheaper visas.
"In mid-January this year, we issued 5,000 VOAs and within a month, the figure has crossed 10,000," said Aravind K. Nair, chief immigration officer at Dabolim airport.
Goa, a leading beach tourism destination, annually receives half a million of foreign tourists, mostly from Russia and Britain.
Britain, however, has not been included in the list of 26 countries whose nationals have been accorded the VOA facility.
Pakistan is passing through the worst phase ever. Flour prices have been skyrocketing in the coun
Oil companies have released the prices of petrol and diesel for today. Today companies have not m
In the seventh match of IPL 2024, Mahendra Singh Dhoni did something which surprised the whole wo
Delhi Police has arrested the sixth accused in the Kanjhawala case of the Sultanpuri police stati
Joe Biden's rating is falling, these five challenges are standing in front
American boxer Mike Tyson has a very popular saying that "everyone has some plan before getting p
Sambhal Violence: Alert after arrest of Masjid Committee chief, police increased security
The police were completely alert regarding the arrest of Jama Masjid Committee's Sadar Zafar Ali.
Gadar 2 Box Office Weekend Collection: Bollywood superstar Sunny Deol's Gaddi is not running at t
President Vladimir Putin's health suddenly deteriorated, and an army of doctors ran
Ever since the war between Russia and Ukraine began, there have been reports of President Vladimi
The 71st National Film Awards were held in the capital, Delhi, on Tuesday. Bollywood superstar Sh
Rich countries of the world will donate 100 crore doses of corona vaccine
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed hope that the G-7 countries will agree to give
