I always feel that South Asia should be the top destination of for tourism and India should be the leader. May be I am from South Asia and I am biased towards this region but really, there are so many things to offer- a rich and diverse civilization with many languages, religions and natural beauties. India is surely the jewel in the crown as far as tourist attraction in Asia is concerned.
India currently has 3.5 million visitors in a year and the Indian government wants to have 10 million visitors by the year 2012. That means that within just 6 years Indian government wants to have nearly triple growth in the arrival of tourist to India from foreign countries. However, Indian visa policy is a rigid one and that is why many people find it difficult to visit the country. Naturally, a country gets significant amount of tourists from its neighboring countries. However, India does not have very good relationship with its two neighbors Pakistan and China and that is why India is missing many possible tourists. Often people from other countries do not get visa for nothing and this frustrates many people naturally. Well, most South Asian countries except Nepal have this problem.
Fortunately, Indian Tourism Minister Ambika Soni had realized the importance of having a more liberal visa policy and he is now trying to convince the Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil for having a more relaxed visa system. I am quoting from a report of Hindustan Times:
"Some of the alternatives like visa on arrival, long-term visa, multiple entry visas are being examined with the ministries of home and external affairs, given India's concerns on security issues, Soni said."
Well, unless Indian government really goes for these alternatives, I do not see much hope for India's having 10 million tourists. Let us hope that Indian Home Ministry now supports the tourism ministry for expanding tourism in the country.
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