The first international tourists arrived in India more than 20 months after the country closed its borders over the Coronavirus outbreak.
The first group of international tourists who landed at Mumbai International Airport by Air France flight AF218 0045 hrs on 15 November were welcomed warmly by India Tourism Mumbai as India opened its doors to fully vaccinated international tourists beginning Monday (November 15).
India Tourism Mumbai welcomed the tourists with stoles and presented them with hampers containing Incredible India merchandise.
In the past 20 months, India has closed its borders to mass foreign tourism but has officially reopened them today as low coronavirus infections persist across the country. India has been granting entry to tourists arriving on chartered flights since last month, and it is now also granting entry to tourists arriving on commercial flights.
The Indian government has allowed full inoculated travellers from 99 reciprocating countries to enter the country free of quarantine after stopping tourist visas last March. After arriving in the country, such tourists are only required to monitor their health for 14 days.
The Indian government suspended all visas given to foreigners last year because of the Covid-19 situation.
Further, the country imposed further restrictions on international travel by limiting the number of flights and establishing air bubbles with countries that provided favourable travel conditions.
After the pandemic situation gradually eased, foreign travellers were then allowed to apply for any other type of Indian visa, except a tourist visa, to facilitate entry and stay in India.
Image source: Tourism of India
