Centre working to address biometrics issue for Kerala tourists

After Kerala expressed apprehension that making biometrics compulsory for Saudi Arabian tourists would hit the state's tourism industry, Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma today said his ministry is taking up the issue with Home Affairs and External Affairs Ministries.
He also assured Kerala Tourism Minister A C Moideen, who had come here to meet Sharma, that Centre will work with state government to "address the hurdles" that come in the way of tourism.
"I understand the importance of Kerala as a tourist destination of choice of people which is now increasing day by day. But there were certain issues which are pending...One of the issue was relaxation on the condition of biometric by the international guests who come over here. We are taking up this issue with the Home and External Affairs Ministries... including custom department," Sharma said.

In July, Moideen had said that he had written to the Centre to exempt Saudi Arabia from compulsory biometric visas and urged the government to include it in the list of countries availing e-visas facility.
He had said that around 5 lakh Saudi holidayers visit the state every year and the Centre's recent decision making biometric data compulsory for them would adversely impact the state's tourism prospects.
He had said that the Centre had made biometric data compulsory at a time when the state is eyeing more tourists from Saudi Arabia.

There were chances that the Saudi tourists may opt for other countries, including neighbouring Sri Lanka, in view of the complexities in applying for biometric visas, he had said.

Many tourists from Saudi Arabia have reportedly cancelled their tours to Kerala, following the new biometric verification norms introduced by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for obtaining visas.
As per the new norms, a Saudi national visiting India needs to go to the embassy in Riyadh and submit himself to biometric and fingerprint scanning to get the visa.
Meanwhile, Sharma said Sabarimala and Guruvayur temples in Kerala have been included under the Centre's Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme and Rs 100 crore has been sanctioned for upgrading of Sabarimala.
"We have included Sabarimala and Guruvayur in PRASAD scheme... Kerala's issues need to be addressed in a big way because the state has a big tourism potential and we as ministry will join hand with state government to ensure that whatever hurdles come in the way will be addressed," he said.