THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India: The southern Indian state of Kerala, whose tourism industry was hit hard by new visa rules, has asked the federal government for a relaxation as the monsoon set in over its coasts on Wednesday.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh had recently introduced new biometric verification norms for visitors from the Kingdom, who constitute a significant chunk of tourists in the state.
Reports say there was a sharp dip in bookings this season with most of them preferring the neighboring island nation of Sri Lanka. Kerala received some 50,000 Saudi guests last year.
Saudi Arabia is currently the fifth largest market for Kerala tourism, which attracts holidaymakers with its beaches, hill stations and backwaters and the industry finds the Arabs high spenders unlike backpackers from Europe.
“Saudis keep the tourism industry of the state alive, even during the off-season,” Kerala Tourism Minister A.C. Moideen said in his letter to federal Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma.
The state’s tourism board had conducted pre-season roadshows in Dammam and Riyadh last month, and they were expecting a better tourist inflow from the Kingdom this year.
Unlike e-visas for tourists that citizens of more than 100 countries can now apply online, travelers here need to visit the embassy to take the biometric visa. The state wants to include the Kingdom in the e-tourist visa regime.
Industry captains feel India tightened its tourism rules allegedly under Daesh-induced security threat perception which is “totally unfounded.”
“After an aggressive campaign in these markets, we were expecting a 30 percent increase in Arab tourist arrivals, which was 80,000 last year,” said U.C. Riyaz, who heads Spiceland Holidays, a major player in this market.
“It sends out a wrong message to one of the most respectable sections of tourists who love Kerala for its hospitality and Ayurvedic wellness treatment during the monsoon. We need an immediate solution.”
He along with other industry representatives held a long meeting with the minister and senior bureaucrats on Wednesday on ways to end the impasse.
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Kerala wants visa rules for KSA tourists relaxed
Kerala wants visa rules for KSA tourists relaxed
Iranian women’s football team member changes mind on asylum in Australia
Sydney: An Iranian women’s football team member who sought sanctuary in Australia has changed her mind after speaking with teammates, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Wednesday.
Seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team had claimed asylum in Australia after they were branded “traitors” at home over a pre-match protest.
One player and one support member sought sanctuary before the side flew out of Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening in emotional scenes, joining five other athletes who had already claimed asylum.
Burke said in parliament on Wednesday that he had since been advised one of the group “had spoken to some of the team mates that left and changed their mind.”
“She had been advised by her team mates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.
“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was.”
The remaining players have been moved from a safe house to another location, he said.
The traveling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning after flying out from Sydney, AFP photos at Kuala Lumpur International Airport showed.
There were fears male minders traveling with the team might try to prevent other women seeking asylum.
Burke said each player was separated from the squad at Sydney Airport and given time to mull the offer in private.
Australian officials had “made sure this was her decision” he said, referring to the Iran team member who had changed her mind.
Seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team had claimed asylum in Australia after they were branded “traitors” at home over a pre-match protest.
One player and one support member sought sanctuary before the side flew out of Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening in emotional scenes, joining five other athletes who had already claimed asylum.
Burke said in parliament on Wednesday that he had since been advised one of the group “had spoken to some of the team mates that left and changed their mind.”
“She had been advised by her team mates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.
“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was.”
The remaining players have been moved from a safe house to another location, he said.
The traveling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning after flying out from Sydney, AFP photos at Kuala Lumpur International Airport showed.
There were fears male minders traveling with the team might try to prevent other women seeking asylum.
Burke said each player was separated from the squad at Sydney Airport and given time to mull the offer in private.
Australian officials had “made sure this was her decision” he said, referring to the Iran team member who had changed her mind.
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