From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Goa 

Goa, Dec 14: Goa tourism department has said more than 37,199 electronic travel visas (ETV) have been issued till December this year at Dabolim airport.

The figures provided by the department indicates Russian travellers top the chart of foreigners opting for e-visas followed by Britishers.

The electronic visa facility was launched last year by Modi led government on various airports to do away with the cumbersome formalities to get the travel document.

State tourism minister Dilip Parulekar told reporters e-visa has also encouraged free independent travellers (FIT) who are high spending tourists.

He said the department has overall issued 20,258 ETVs to Russians, 7,000 to the UK nationals and 5,966 to Ukrainians out of a total 37,199 ETVs issued till December 10.

Union government has listed citizens from 113 countries as eligible for e-visas. "Of these total 113 countries travellers from 65 countries have availed the facility of e-visas at Dabolim airport," the minister said.

Around 500-600 ETVs are issued on a daily basis to foreign nationals arriving via charter flights and as FITs.

Besides Russia, Briton and Ukrain visitors from nations like Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Malaysia, Jordan, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, China, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, UAE, Oman and other countries have availed the benefit.

The ETV facility commenced in Goa from December 2014 after all processes were put in place to ensure smooth and efficient services for tourists seeking ETVs on arrival.

Parulekar said the tourism department has aggressively campaigned the ETV facility at the WTM in London. We are optimistic that more British tourists will visit Goa this season compared to previous years, he added.