Owing to increase in the number of tourists to Switzerland, the
European country's second consulate in India is expected to commence
issue of visas by mid-2012, according to a Switzerland Tourism official.
"The
consulate was set up in Bangalore last year. Hopefully, it should start
issuing of the Schengen Visa in the middle of this year," Switzerland
Tourism Deputy Director Ritu Sharma, told reporters.
The Schengen Visa is helpful to those who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. It allows the visa holder to travel across various European countries under a single visa. Sharma said the consulate in Mumbai was the only gateway to Switzerland as many would need to get their visas from this office. However, with the opening of a new consulate in Bangalore, she hoped many tourists from South India would visit the new office.
"This will actually split the work of Mumbai consulate. Many south Indian tourists were finding it difficult to visit Mumbai for an interview," she said. Before obtaining a Schengen Visa, it is necessary for a tourist to undertake an interview at the Consulate, she said.
Noting that India ranks third in the number of tourists visiting Switzerland after the United States and United Kingdom, she said this year the number of visitors from India was set to cross the five lakh mark. "The target growth for India on the number of tourists is again 20 per cent this year and we are expecting it to be beyond 500,000 (tourists)", she said. Last year 460,000 Indian tourists visited Switzerland, she said.
The International theme of this year for Switzerland was 'Year of Water,' she said and added many areas linked with water like water tourism, would be explored. "Last year was celebrated as Year of Hygiene. This year will be celebrated as Year of Water," she said.
The Schengen Visa is helpful to those who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. It allows the visa holder to travel across various European countries under a single visa. Sharma said the consulate in Mumbai was the only gateway to Switzerland as many would need to get their visas from this office. However, with the opening of a new consulate in Bangalore, she hoped many tourists from South India would visit the new office.
"This will actually split the work of Mumbai consulate. Many south Indian tourists were finding it difficult to visit Mumbai for an interview," she said. Before obtaining a Schengen Visa, it is necessary for a tourist to undertake an interview at the Consulate, she said.
Noting that India ranks third in the number of tourists visiting Switzerland after the United States and United Kingdom, she said this year the number of visitors from India was set to cross the five lakh mark. "The target growth for India on the number of tourists is again 20 per cent this year and we are expecting it to be beyond 500,000 (tourists)", she said. Last year 460,000 Indian tourists visited Switzerland, she said.
The International theme of this year for Switzerland was 'Year of Water,' she said and added many areas linked with water like water tourism, would be explored. "Last year was celebrated as Year of Hygiene. This year will be celebrated as Year of Water," she said.
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