New Delhi, June 28th

The government will issue free visas to 5 lakh tourists visiting India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Monday.

Sitharaman announced measures to revitalize the Covid-19-battered tourism sector, saying that more than 11,000 registered guides, travel and tourism operators would receive funding.

She said that once international travel visas resume, the first five lakh tourists will be issued free visas. The total financial impact of this action would be Rs 100 crore.

The regulation applies until March 31, 2022 or until 5 lakh visas are issued, whichever comes first.

This would create incentives for short-term tourists visiting India, she said.

The government will also provide working capital or personal loans to people in the tourism sector to pay off debts or restart businesses hit by Covid-19.

The loans come with a 100 percent guarantee with a limit of Rs 10 lakh for travel and tourism operators and Rs 1 lakh for registered tourist guides.

Sitharaman said that Rs 23,220 crore more will be allocated to public health.

This would put a special focus on short term emergency preparedness with a special focus on children / child care / cots.

The measures are part of a series of announcements by the finance minister on Monday aimed at stimulating the economy. – PTI