Philippines to Ease Visa Requirements for Indian Tourists

Indian travellers are going places to explore diverse cultures, lifestyles, and to witness history in different parts of the world. From monumental attractions to nature and more, Indians are experiencing the delight the world has to offer. Tourists from India now enjoy simplified visa processing for many countries, while some have even exempted Indian tourists from visa requirement. Philippines is planning to do the same but on an experimental basis for a period of one year. Philippines Tourism Secretary Ramon R Jimenez on his visit to New Delhi met his counterpart Mahesh Sharma and expressed that Philippines is planning to remove visa restrictions for Indian tourists. The Economic Times quoted a statement by Philippines Tourism Secretary Ramon R Jimenez Jr, "India will be one of the top 5 largest source markets for us by 2016. At present it is at number 10, but we are determined to change that." He said, "We are taking a number of initiatives for this. Our aim is growth in both inbound and outbound travellers between the two countries. We want more Indians to visit us and more people from Philippines to visit India." The tourism ministers discussed primary issues pertaining to two-way exchange tourism i.e. connectivity, safety & security, infrastructure, and hospitality. "Philippines is exploring the possibility of lifting visa requirements for Indians on an experimental basis for 2015-16," said Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. In November last year, India introduced E-Visa facility for 43 countries including Philippines. Source: The Economic Times | PTI