Popular Indian tourist spots likely to feature foreign language signboards soon

Aiming to attract 20 million foreign tourists by 2020, the Union Ministry is actively planning to increase the footfall of foreign tourists at popular tourist spots. To meet this target, it is planning to introduce certain measures, such as shortenings the e-visa application form, setting up foreign language signage and slashing visa fees.

Reportedly, the ministry is planning to set up signboards in at least three foreign languages at places such as Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, and Bodh Gaya in Bihar, which are frequently visited by a large number of tourists from Japan, Sri Lanka, and South Korea. The ministry is likely to put up signboards in Korean, Japanese, and Sinhala language in these places.
QR codes will also feature in these signboards, which will provide travellers detailed information about the spot, monument, its history and all other related details in that particular foreign language.
As per the proposed plan, the Union Ministry will first identify monuments frequented by foreign tourists, then carry out data research to mark the top three countries from where the maximum number of tourists visit each of these spots. The ministry will then set up signboards in the mother tongue of those countries.
Although the plan is still in the initial phase, an official from the Tourism Ministry stated that the plan might likely boost the footfall of tourists as it plans to lessen their efforts of finding directions and also understand the significance of the spot and monument.

Also, the ministry is working extensively with the Ministry of External Affairs to reduce visa fees and shorten the e-visa process to make travel affair for foreign tourists hassle-free.