Tourism sector is poised to get a major boost in the State with the Central government’s proposal to introduce ‘Visa on Arrival’ facility at the Tiruchi International Airport.
Tiruchi is one among the non-metro airports where the facility is planned. The other airports are Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Lucknow, Varanasi and Gaya.
The modalities were being worked out with respect to the overseas countries for which the facility is proposed to be introduced. However, indications are that the facility would be meant for the ASEAN countries.
Ahead of its introduction, a preliminary joint inspection would be conducted at the airport by a high-level team on April 7. The team would consist of officials from the Immigration, Ministry of Civil Aviation and National Informatics Centre and assisted by a top official of the airport.
During the one-day inspection, the team would ascertain the facilities presently available at the airport and the necessary infrastructure required prior to the introduction of the facility.
Tiruchi is the second airport after Chennai in Tamil Nadu from where international carriers are operated to overseas destinations such as Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai every day.
Overseas travellers account for majority of passengers handled at the Tiruchi airport, which was adjudged the best among non-major airports in 2014 during a quality services survey.
Upon introduction of the facility overseas tourists with a confirmed return ticket would be given visa on arrival at Tiruchi by the immigration authorities, airport sources said.
The facility would give a big push to tourism sector not only in Tiruchi but also in Tamil Nadu as a whole, the sources emphasise.
The facility would also augment revenue for the airport, which is a fast growing one in the country.
Additional infrastructure would be put in place at the airport, the sources said adding that the Central government would take a final call on the date of the implementation of the facility.
The sources said necessary facilities including high end shopping were being planned at the airport.
Necessary facilities including high end shopping planned at the airport
