05 December 2008

Indian tourist board launching UK campaign in spite of terror attacks

The India Tourist Board is launching a new campaign in the UK to counteract the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, reports Marketweek.

Mumbai's tourism and hospitality industry took a huge hit in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks on the city's two luxury hotels, a popular café with the tourists and a major train station, which killed 200 people.

In an attempt to rebuild the city's tourism industry, the India Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism in India, and various representatives from the UK tourism industry, are holding "crisis talks". 

"While tour operators have not seen overall cancellations from their holidaymakers, they are demanding a change in itinerary," said a spokesperson from the India Tourist Board.

Because the peak season for British and American tourists to India runs from September through to March, organisers are trying to release the campaign as soon as possible. 

International visitors to India must have an Indian visa to enter the country.  An India Tourist Visa is usually valid for up to six months, and the visa holder cannot work under the visa conditions.  For short-stay visits, tourists can also apply for a 15-day transit visa.

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The Worldwide Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in India visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, Worldwide Visa Bureau.