NEW DELHI: The India government and ministry of tourism announced it is planning to extend its visa on arrival facility to countries including Thailand and Malaysia to attract more Buddhism-linked travelers, said Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai. India, being the land of origin of Buddhism, was the main attraction for Buddhist tourists from across the globe, he noted. “The tourism ministry is drawing up plans to attract more tourists from Buddhist countries by providing them special facilities,” he said when inaugurating a two-day International Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi. Sahai said, plans were underway for tourists from countries having sizable Buddhist population such as Thailand and Malaysia, to be provided VOA facilities. Currently, VOA facility is applicable to 11 countries, including Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. The conclave is being held with a view to showcasing and projecting India's Buddhist Heritage. Delegates at the conclave include international Buddhist scholars, tour operators and local and international media which actively promote Buddhist tourism. Participants are from over 30 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Bhutan, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Holland, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Phillipines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Thailand and Singapore.
