With the the aim of increasing tourist arrivals, India plans to introduce visa on arrival facility for foreigners, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said here on Saturday.

The proposal, if endorsed by the Home Ministry, can be implemented with regard to certain select countries on pilot basis, she told reporters after inaugurating the incredibleindia@60 cultural extravangaza.

“One of our thrust areas is to get visa on arrival but there have been concerns. We feel the Home Ministry could introduce it on a trial basis,” Soni said. She said visa on arrival was “one sure way” for facilitating tourist arrivals. She was confidence that the government would implement the scheme once the work on major airports was done.

“It can be introduced to visitors from some countries to begin with,” Soni said adding that her ministry was also pushing for permits to visit North East.

Soni said 20 destinations have been identified in way of a pilot project which she felt would greatly help state goverments. Noting that tourist arrivals touched five million last year, Soni said India was competing for just numbers.

“In India we have to put in place infrastructure, budget hotels, accommodations etc,” the minister said.