Visas on arrival benefits tourists

Chennai, June 5 (UNI) Indonesian Ambassador to India Donnila Anwar today said the concept of issueing of visas on arrival in Indonesia had led to an increase in the number of tourists from India.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Honorary Consulate of Indonesia here, the third office after Mumbai and Kolkata, he said the process was started in August last year.

This had led to at decrease in the number of visas issued in the Embassy in New Delhi. 'In the Embassy we issued about 12,000 visas last year. This has come down now as Indians can obtain visas on arrival in any part of Indonesia', he added.

He added that this had led to an increase in tourist influx from India to Indonesia. 'I don't have correct statistics on hand to give more details. But definitely, there has been increase in number of tourists from India'.

Visas issued on arrival were both for tourists and business purposes and would be valid for a month. 'At present we are not having any plans to increase the visa period to either two or three months to facilitate longer stay', Mr Anwar said, to a question.

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