The Hindu Business Line : IATO calls for easier multiple entry visas

THE Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has urged the Government to make easier multiple entry visas for persons of Indian origin (PIOs) intending to visit India.

"These visas can be made available or alternatively PIO should have the choice to get them either in their own country or soon after their arrival in India," Mr Subhash Goyal, President of IATO, said.

Mr Goyal was speaking at the tourism session on the three-day conference to celebrate second Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. Hoping that the open sky policy recently announced by the Government would further integrate the PIO with their country of origin, Mr Goyal urged the airlines to charge them the same fare as they were charging Indian nationals.

"This step will not only give them a sense of belonging but also motivate them to come to India again and again without the fear of being overcharged by the airlines," he stressed.

Mr Goyal took note of the desire expressed by the PIO from time-to-time to invest in tourism infrastructure and made a strong plea for `one-window clearance' for them. He hoped that some concrete proposals would come up to ensure hassle-free investments in tourism and aviation-related projects by PIOs. "I suggested that such projects should be accepted or rejected within 30 days and after 30 days any such proposal should be deemed to have been accepted. And once it is accepted, licence and permissions should be granted within the next 30 days," he said.