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Indonesia plans to introduce visa-free entry for tourists from 20 countries, including India. The country’s Tourism Minister, Sandiaga Uno, announced that the policy is under consideration and will be finalized by October this year. Uno said the move is aimed at boosting international tourism in Indonesia.
Besides India, Indonesia will also be granting visa exemptions to Australia, China, Japan, the US, South Korea, France, Germany, Qatar, the UK and the UAE.
The Indonesian government was considering similar measures last year, which were due to be implemented by January.
Indian tourists visiting Indonesia: According to BPS-Statistics Indonesia, the country’s official statistics portal, more than 600,000 Indian tourists are expected to visit the country in 2023, making India one of the top 10 sending markets.
According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), more than 30,000 passengers departed from India for Indonesia between January and March this year.
Currently, Indian tourists who want to visit Indonesia can obtain a visa on arrival either online or at the Indonesian airport.
Visa Exemptions for Indians: If Indonesia approves the policy, it will join Thailand, Sri Lanka, Iran and Malaysia in offering visa-free travel to India.
Separately, South Africa, Vietnam and Russia are also considering granting visa exemptions to Indian travellers.
Domestic air traffic declines in June
India’s domestic air traffic declined in June. Around 13.3 million passengers traveled domestically in June, down about 4% from 13.8 million in May, according to credit rating agency ICRA Limited. However, there was also a 6.3% increase compared to June 2023.
Airlines’ capacity allocation in June also fell 3% month-on-month from May, but this figure was 7% higher than June 2023 capacity, ICRA noted.
The agency said its outlook for the Indian aviation industry remains stable as domestic and international air passenger traffic continues to recover. “Furthermore, the industry has seen improved pricing power, which is reflected in higher yields (compared to pre-COVID levels) and thus in airlines’ revenue per available seat kilometre – cost per available seat kilometre (RASK-CASK) spread. The momentum in air passenger traffic seen in FY24 is expected to continue in FY25,” ICRA said.
Medical tourism in India expected to reach $25 billion by 2029
According to a report by market research firm Report Ocean, the Indian medical tourism market is growing at a compound annual rate of 19% and is expected to reach $25 billion by 2029 from $7.42 billion in 2022.
According to the report, affordable, quality healthcare services and cutting-edge medical technology are the key factors fuelling the medical tourism market.
According to data released last year by India’s Ministry of Tourism, the number of medical tourists is expected to reach around 475,000 in 2022, up from over 304,000 in 2022. It is also projected that over 504,000 medical tourists will visit India between January and October 2023. To capitalise on this sector, the government has developed a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism.
Low-cost airline Air Kerala receives government approval
Low-cost airline Air Kerala, run by Dubai-based businessmen Afi Ahmed and Ayub Karrada, has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation to become the first regional airline in the south coastal state of Kerala.
The entrepreneurs will now work on procuring aircraft and obtaining an air operating license. They plan to start operations by next year and initially aim to connect Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities using ATR 72-600 aircraft.
As per current plans, Air Kerala will commence regional operations and then international expansion once its fleet reaches 20 aircraft, with Dubai expected to be one of the airline’s first international destinations.
Indian tourists to visit Turkey to increase by 34% in 2024
In the first five months of 2024, Indian tourists visiting Turkey increased by 34% compared to 2023. The Turkish Tourism Board announced that 126,000 Indians visited Turkey between January and May this year.
In comparison, 274,000 Indians visited the country in the whole of 2023. Istanbul continues to be a popular destination for Indians, according to the tourism department.
Turkey expects India to be one of its top 10 source markets over the next three years, and the number of Indian tourists is expected to grow to 350,000 this year, a 30 percent increase compared to 2023.
Photo credit: Over 600,000 Indian tourists visited Indonesia in 2023.
