(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Seventeen Omanis have successfully availed India's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system since its launch on November 27.
Across the world 4900 people from 43 countries have received passage to India via ETA which is an online facility through which travellers are granted authorisation to enter the country. Oman and UAE are the only Gulf countries among the 43 to enjoy the ETA facility.
'The flow of tourists from Oman to India has grown considerably in the last few years' said H E J S Mukul Ambassador of India to Oman during a presentation at the Indian Embassy on Sunday.
'In 2011 we issued visa to 39000 people. In 2013 the number was 59000 and this year it has gone up to nearly 75000.'
People mostly travel to India for leisure medical reasons and for business the ambassador said. Some 400 direct flights (from the sultanate) operate to various destinations in India in a week he said. 'India is also the number one country in the health and wellness sector and will continue to grow in that area in the next five years. Oman's Ministry of Health considers India as the top destination for medical tourism. Bilateral ties between Oman and India are quite strong and procedures like ETA are bonding them further.'
Manas Pattanaik regional director of India Tourism Dubai said the service is likely to increase the flow of tourists from Oman to India by 25 per cent. 'It's easy fast and hassle-free. Many Omanis visit India for medical and family reasons and this service will benefit them immensely. Right now we have 43 countries using ETA. In the coming years the number will grow' Pattanaik said.
To avail the ETA facility an applicant can visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/). The applicant will be required to upload his passport-size photograph taken in white background a scanned copy of the passport's first page fill the required information online and pay a fee of US$60 through credit/debit card before submitting the application. The applicant will be informed of the approval or refusal of his application via e-mail within three days.
ETA allows a 30-day stay in India and a person can make use of the service twice a year.
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