E-tourist visa facility sought for M'luru airport

MANGALURU: The tourism industry has sought extension of the e-tourist visa facility at Mangaluru International Airport. William D'Souza, president, Globe Travels, in a letter addressed to the minister of chemicals and fertilizers Ananth Kumar, law minister DV Sadanda Gowda, MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shobha Karandlaje, urged them to use their offices to extend the e-tourist facility announced by the ministry of external affairs to smaller airports in the country. He pointed out that providing this facility will boost the coastal city's prospects in promoting exports, trade and commerce and will help in the city's overall development. He also cited the case of Jet Airways, which has already begun connecting the world via Abu Dhabi through its interline partner, Etihad Airways. "The facility of E-Tourist visa at Mangaluru will help foreigners arrive directly into Mangaluru instead of via Mumbai or Bengaluru in shortest time," D'Souza said. This will also boost the tourism industry. Moreover, many foreign airlines will begin their operations from Mangaluru Airport which will bring in revenue to the exchequer, he said. -TOI