(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The number of Qatari nationals visiting India, mainly for business purposes, has been on the rise, according to Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora.
While expressing happiness at the steady growth in the number of Qatari nationals and other foreigners from Doha visiting his country, Arora said the Indian embassy in Doha has an efficient and helpful visa service, which is issuing multiple entry visas to Qatari applicants.
"We want more and more Qataris to visit India and are rendering all possible assistance in this regard. It is heartening that the number of Qataris visiting India has been growing steadily in recent months," he said.
"Simultaneously, we are pursuing our efforts with local authorities to issue multiple entry visas to Indian nationals who visit this country frequently, mainly for business purposes," said the ambassador.
At present, only single entry visa is being issued for Indian nationals by Qatar, usually for a period of one month, even for top Indian businessmen, he said.
Arora however denied the report in another newspaper which said Qatari nationals would be issued visa on arrival in India shortly.
The ambassador said the government of India has been taking several steps to promote tourism and a major initiative in this regard is the e-Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme.
It is an ongoing process and the number of countries covered by this scheme has been progressively increasing and is currently 113. This facility is currently available at 16 airports in India, he said.
While terming the recent 'Incredible India' road show as a big success, the envoy said the event hosted by India Tourism, Dubai, with the support and co-operation of his embassy at Marriott Marquis Hotel Doha had the attendance of many prominent Qatari businessmen, among others.
Among those who attended were prominent entrepreneur, educationist and philanthropist Sheikha Athba al-Thani, Vice-Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar al-Kuwari, Chairman of Al Balagh Trading and Contracting Sherida Saad Jubran al-Kaabi, former Qatari ambassador to India and President of Teyseer Motors Adel al-Mannai, Vice-Chairman of Darwish Group Nasser Jassim Darwish, Head of Legal Department and Secretary to the Board of Directors of Hassad Foods Idris Gamil, Senior QCCI official Abu Mazen and Director of Public and International Relations Department of Qatar Museums Mohamed Nasser M al-Othman.
The India Tourism, Dubai, had collaborated with Tamarind Global, a prominent Indian travel and tourism company and Regency Travel and Tours, a leading Qatari company for organising the promotional event on Indian tourism.
Some of the top names in the Indian hospitality sector were represented at the show.
Notable among them were Amruda Nair, CEO, Aiana Resorts & Hospitality (Leela Group), which had signed a joint venture agreement with Qatar's Faisal Group to build high-end luxury apartments in West Bay area, and senior officials of Taj, Oberoi and Leela Groups.
While delivering the keynote address, the Indian ambassador gave an overview of the deep rooted ties between India and Qatar as also the myriad attractions of Indian Tourism.
Some of the local dignitaries who were present at the ceremony narrated their delightful experiences from visits to India.
The ambassador also explained how effective and helpful are the visa services at the embassy and how it has helped attracting more tourists from Qatar.
This was followed by the 'Incredible India' presentation on Indian tourism by Tamarind Global and presentations by some of the leading Indian hospitality companies and an interactive session.
Apart from many prominent Indian companies, the two airlines from India operating to Qatar, Air India and Jet Airways, had put up stalls at the road show. Qatar Airways flies to 12 destinations in India.
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