New Delhi, Aug 14 (KNN) Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme of the government continues to be popular with foreign tourists showing a growth of 22.6 per cent during July 2013 when compared to July 2012.

During the last month, a total number of 1,154 VoAs were issued as compared to 941 during July 2012, with Japanese tourists registering the maximum amongst all the Asian countries to avail of the scheme in July.

While 327 Japanese tourists availed the scheme followed by New Zealand (251), Indonesia (173) and Philippines (172), only eight visitors each from Myanmar, Cambodia and Luxembourg utilised the facility in July.

However, from Laos there has been no response to the scheme. 

During the period January to July 2013, the highest number of VoAs were issued at New Delhi (5,908) followed by Mumbai (2,250), Chennai (1,593) and Kolkata (731). 

As a facilitative measure to attract more foreign tourists to India, the Visa on Arrival Scheme has been launched for 11 countries - Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos and Myanmar, said an official statement of the Ministry of Tourism.

The Scheme was extended to the citizens of six more countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar in January 2011. 

During the period January to July 2013, a total number of 10,482 VoAs were issued as compared to 7,662 VoAs during the corresponding period of 2012 registering a growth of 36.8 per cent.  (KNN/SD)