Stakeholders in the tourism sector here have welcomed the government’s decision to extend visa on arrival to 150 countries.
K.S. Nagapathi, Director, Mahajana Tourism Development Institute, said the move to extend the facility from nearly 43 countries to 150 countries will definitely give a boost to the tourism sector and benefit Mysuru.
This is a much-needed booster dose for a city, whose tourism sector was stagnating since the last three years. Mysuru receives nearly 3.2 to 3.3 million tourists a year, but more than 95 per cent of it is fuelled by domestic tourists. The bulk of tourists who arrive in Mysuru are yoga students, who camp in the city for a few months.
Stakeholders in the hospitality sector pointed out that though domestic tourists visited Mysuru and kept afloat the sector, their average daily spending was not high enough to sustain the industry and hence increase in the inflow of international tourists was expected to change the scenario.
However, Prof. Nagapathi said it was not enough if visa on arrival was introduced to promote tourism.
“Equally important is to enhance safety and security of visitors as it will have an impact on the brand image of India,” he said, suggesting initiatives like establishing tourist police at all places of tourist interest.
In addition, Mysuru could be promoted as a base camp to explore the rich architectural heritage of Belur-Halebid, Shravanabelagola and coffee plantations of Kodagu, he said.