Question : Impact of Corona Virus on Tourism Sector

(a) whether it is a fact that the Indian Tourism Industry has been hit hard after the spread of Wuhan Corona Virus and if so, the details of losses suffered so far;
(b) whether China is the third country behind the United Kingdom and United States in availing e-tourist visas to visit India and if so, the number of Chinese tourists visited India during the last one year;
(c) whether the Government has suspended the e-visa facility for Chinese travelers and foreigners residing in China and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether there is also a shortfall of foreign tourists from European countries after the outbreak of Corona Virus in India and other parts of Asia and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has issued any travel notification to our citizens due to Corona Virus threat and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a): Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has not undertaken study on effect of spread of Corona Virus on Indian Tourism Industry.

(b): Yes, Sir. As per the provisional data available on E-tourist Visa for the year 2019, China stands third after United Kingdom and United States in availing e-tourist Visa facility to India. 228945 (provisional) Chinese nationals availed E-tourist visa facility during 2019 to travel to India.

(c): Yes, sir. Details regarding visa restriction to Chinese passport holders and foreigners in China are given in Annexure-I.

(d): Details of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during January, 2020 and January, 2019 from European countries and other Asian Countries are given below:
<pre>
FTAs in January 2020 (Provisional) 2019 (Provisional)
Asia 492798 481355
Europe 303065 313492
</pre>
(e): Yes, Sir. Details of some of the advisories issued for travellers to and from India and China, are annexed at Annexure-II, Annexure-III and Annexure-IV.

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