New Delhi: No distance seems to be bigger for a die-hard cricket fan in India as they are getting themselves ready to cheer the “Men in Blue” in upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Team India with an aim to retain the coveted trophy, will open against their arch rivals Pakistan on February 14 which is expected to be a nail-biting thriller.
The Australian high commission here said the number of tourist visa applications received this January was 37% higher than the same month last year. "We have received 12,176 tourist visa applications this January while the number was 8,908 last January. This is a very significant increase," a high commission spokesperson said.
The Australian high commission here said the number of tourist visa applications received this January was 37% higher than the same month last year. "We have received 12,176 tourist visa applications this January while the number was 8,908 last January. This is a very significant increase," a high commission spokesperson said.
Apart from this, New Zealand is granting visa on arrival to cricket fans who have an Australian tourist visa.
Tourism Australia, in an advisory to travel agents here, said, "Due to large number of tourists traveling to Australia for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and summer holidays, the visa office at the Australian high commission, New Delhi, is currently experiencing a very high volume of visitor visa lodgments. As a result, visa processing time may take longer than usual."
"Travelers planning to apply for an Australian visitor/ business visa are requested to please keep clear 15 working days (three weeks) on hand at the time of submitting the application to avoid any kind of disappointment," the advisory said.
The steep costs of traveling Down Under for hardly seem to be deterring Indian fans. Travel portals in India are also offering exciting offers for the fans to visit Australia including the Indo-Pak match. The officials of the portals claimed that the bookings to Australia and New Zealand in February and March have tripled in comparison to the last year.
Overall growth of around 50% has been observed in bookings to Australia during the Feb-March period as most of the match venues are fairly close to major travel attractions and travelers can combine their love for sports and explore these destinations as well.
