This week’s India Times newspaper focuses on the increasing number of people from India who are discovering Punta Cana as a midpoint for family reunions, weddings and vacation time. The rationale is that tourists from India can enjoy a reasonably priced beach vacation while meeting up with family and friends who can fly in from the United States, home to a large expat Indian community.
A feature published in the newspaper last week highlights the fact that many Indians living in the US, UK and Canada have discovered the advantages of a Dominican holiday. Key to the visit is the efficient service from the Dominican Embassy in New Delhi. The Dominican ambassador to India is a former Dominican airlines marketing manager who understands perfectly how making it easy to travel can increase visitations.
“One of the reasons for the big growth in the number of visitors from India is that we have simplified our visa rules. The embassy in Delhi can issue a visa within 24 hours, which is the shortest possible time for any country. Besides, those with valid Schengen, UK, Canada and US visas can travel to the Dominican Republic without a visa and will be issued a tourist card on arrival,” says Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, the DR’s ambassador to India.
According to Dannenberg, the country is already very popular for destination weddings. “While young Indians in the US and Canada find the exotic beaches of the Dominican Republic very attractive as wedding destinations, it is also simpler for family members from India such as aunts, grandmothers and cousins, to participate in such events because of our relaxed visa rules,” explains Dannenberg.
Precautions are taken to prevent illegal immigration as the country does not want to become a hub for people trying to illegally enter the US or Canada. Notwithstanding, business and residence visas are fairly easy to get. The newspaper reports that in 2011, 3,000 Indians visited the Dominican Republic. Dannenberg says the number is likely to double this year. There has also been a big growth in trade and business between the two countries since the embassy opened in Delhi in 2006.
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-27/news/31864297_1_visa-rules-dominican-republic-emotional-reunion