Independent operators are urging Indian authorities to rethink a “drastic” change in visa rules which has left at least £10 million-worth of bookings at risk.

The Association of Independent Tour Operators (Aito) has called for a meeting with the Indian High Commission following the abrupt decision for make all applications to be made in person.

Operators warn that as many as 1,500 holidaymakers face the prospect of cancelling holidays due to the new requirement. 

Aito members have been forced to stop accepting bookings for the rest of 2022, and all marketing efforts have been ceased due to the difficultly in obtaining tourist visas.  

In a letter to the High Commission, Aito warned that the reputational damage to India “is likely to be huge” as travel companies seek alternative destinations. Around 60 Aito members sell holidays to the country.

Head of commercial Bharat Gadhoke said: “To demonstrate a monetary value, there is over £10 million worth of travel arrangements and more than 1,500 people directly affected just within the coming months.  

“If you extrapolate this to the numerous other travel organisers in the UK, the scale of this significant problem takes on frightening proportions.

“The issue with visas will have a devastating effect, both here and in India, bearing in mind that tourism is trying to recover from closure due to the pandemic. 

“Aito members will be forced to refund customers in full, which in turn will have a grievous impact on (a) Indian suppliers and partners, many of which are small businesses; (b) support to the remote and rural economies in India; plus (c) the vital wildlife conservation programmes that benefit from tourism to India.”

“The visa situation was already very difficult but was being managed by using the visa courier companies. 

“The arbitrary cancellation of all of visa services has had a disastrous effect; a sizeable number of customers face having their holidays cancelled at short notice. 

“Travel companies, who have been hugely supportive of India, face mass cancellations, and will have to refund their customers in full – something which, post-pandemic, they simply cannot easily afford to do. 

“In the medium term, we need either far more appointments to be opened, the re-instatement of the courier system or, ideally, the re-opening of the e-visa to system for those UK nationals booked on licensed package holidays.

“Our primary request is the opening of a channel solely for the travel industry to secure visas for their paying customers.”

He added: “Applications using specialist companies have been cancelled and we learn that those that were being processed have been returned, minus the visa.

“The reasons have not, unfortunately, been explained – an explanation would at least go some way to helping tour operators to understand this drastic action.

“What is clear is that the collateral damage is going to be felt by the keen tourists who have long looked forward to visiting this diverse country, some having delayed their travel plans for two years or more.”

Amrit Singh, owner of Aito member operator Trans Indus, said: “A poll solely of Aito’s operators to India reveals £10 million of bookings at risk, with around 1,500 holidaymakers affected.

“Many are due to depart in the coming weeks; not having a visa means they will be forced to cancel, which is very upsetting for our customers who were looking forward to their long-awaited trips to the sub-continent.”

Sam Clark, managing director of Experience Travel Group, said: “With many customers having hung on for their once-in-a-lifetime trip to India through many Covid postponements, it would be a tragedy if something as simple as a visa prevented them from exploring the wonder of India. 

“For the sake of our customers, ourselves and all our wonderful partners throughout the sub-continent, we hope that the Indian authorities find a solution quickly.”

The UK is not among 156 countries offered access to tourist e-visas.

The Indian High Commission denied making a last minute change, telling The Times of India: “Individual visa applicants are, and always have been, required to submit visa applications at the VFS centres in person.

“There is no change to the visa application process for individual visa applications.

“It has come to our notice that unauthorised agents and individuals are charging fees and collecting visa applications for submission at VFS centres, misleading applicants and misrepresenting the services that they can legally provide.

“This matter is currently being investigated. The High Commission of India emphasises that VFS Global Services is the only authorised outsourcing provider for India-related passport, visa and consular services in the UK.”

It added: “High Commission of India assures our friends in the UK that it remains our constant endeavour to improve the via services by streamlining the visa processes and to address any delays and shortfalls in services.”