Seoul, Feb 24 (IANS): India has assured the South Korean business community they would continue to get hassle-free visas within three days ordinarily and the same day if business was urgent.

Speaking on the sidelines of a tourism road show in Seoul, organised by the India Tourism office in Tokyo, Indian Ambassador Vishnu Prakash gave the assurance to the Korean industry while explaining bilateral steps taken towards simplified visa procedures.

The event was held with the support of the Indian embassy here Friday to mark the 40th anniversary year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Korea.

In a presentation, Indian Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan highlighted the breathtaking cultural and geographical diversity of India, tradition of hospitality and its Buddhist heritage - a point to attract one-fourth of the Korean population that is Buddhist.

The initiative saw an impressive turnout of Korean travel agents and journalists. Also present on this occasion was Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat, who highlighted attractions of her hill state.

South Korea has become one of the top 15 sources of foreign tourists for India for last three years, recording a double digit annual growth rate.

In 2011, India received 108,680 Korean tourists, against 95,587 in 2010, marking a 13.7 percent increase. The trend is expected to strengthen in coming years, with the steady expansion of India-South Korean relations, the release said.

Of the 50 million South Koreans, about 14 million Korean tourists are estimated to have travelled overseas during 2012.