SAARC nations to set up direct air links and ease visa restrictions

By Satish G. | eTN Asia
In a positive development, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations have decided on a series of initiatives for joint promotion of tourism in South Asia, including setting up of direct air links and relaxing visa restrictions. Members also decided upon separate immigration counters at airports for citizens of SAARC countries, besides providing special facilities to its students and pilgrims.

The grouping comprises India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister and SAARC chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has called for joint efforts to make South Asia a common tourist destination. Zia said the initiative can be a possibility by pooling resources, ensuring human resource development and facilitating travels and connectivity in the region.
 
"South Asia has been a melting pot of diverse cultures; each SAARC country has its unique charm and when combined, the experience to a tourist can be nothing less than captivating," she said while inaugurating the second SAARC Tourism Ministers' Conference in Dhaka.
 
She urged charting out of year-long activities to attract tourists from all over the world, establishment of direct air links among SAARC countries, cooperation in human resource development and active participation of the private sector in the promotion of tourism both intra-regionally and internationally.

May 23, 2006   Posted in: Airlines & Railways