More than 7% increase in foreign tourists in March

There has been a surge in foreign tourists with more than 5 lakh visitors coming to India in March this year.

Owing to overseas ‘Incredible India’ campaign,there has been a surge in the foreign tourists visiting the country with more than 5 lakh visitors coming to India in March this year.

Foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) in March 2011 was 5.07 lakh as compared to FTA of 4.72 lakh during March 2010 and 4.42 lakh in March 2009,according to Tourism Ministry data.

There has been a growth of 7.4 per cent in FTA in March 2011 over March 2010 as compared to a growth of 6.7 per cent registered in March 2010 over March 2009.

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“We are organising road shows and other events on a regular basis in foreign countries to promote Indian destinations and as a result more foreigners are now visiting India,” said a senior Tourism Ministry official.

FTA during the period January-March 2011 were 17.37 lakh with a growth of 11.1 per cent as compared to the FTAs of 15.63 lakh with a growth of 10.6 per cent during January-March 2010 over the corresponding period of 2009.

Foreign exchange earnings (FEE) during March 2011 were Rs 5,522 crore as compared to Rs 5,507 crore in March 2010 and Rs 4,437 crore in March 2009.

The growth rate in FEE in March 2011 over March 2010 was 0.3 per cent as compared to 24.1 per cent in March 2010 over March 2009.

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The lower growth rate in FEE in March 2011 over March 2010 was due to high base and quite high growth rate (24.1 per cent) in March 2010 over March 2009.

FEE from during January-March 2011 were Rs 18,952 crore with a growth of 6.8 per cent as compared to the FEE of Rs 17,746 crore with a growth of 30.7 per cent during January-March 2010 over the corresponding period of 2009.