Continuing with the growth trajectory, the ‘Incredible India’ campaign has attracted more than four lakh foreign tourists last month, marking an increase of 5.3 per cent over the same period in 2010.
Foreign tourist arrivals during August 2011 were to the tune of 4.02 lakh compared to 3.82 lakh during August 2010 and 3.70 lakh in August 2009, according to the figures given by the Tourism Ministry.
A growth of 3.3 per cent was registered in August 2010 over the figure for August 2009.
Ministry’s objective
Currently, foreign tourist arrivals are about 0.5 per cent of world tourist arrivals and the Ministry has set an objective of increasing the share to one per cent by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan.
The Ministry has launched an aggressive Incredible India campaign abroad. “We have undertaken a series of road-shows showcasing our unique products, including wellness tourism, Buddhist circuit, yoga, rural tourism sites and serene sea beaches,” a Tourism Ministry official said.
A total of 38.19 lakh foreign tourists visited the country during January-August 2011 with a growth of 10.2 per cent, compared to 34.67 lakh during January-August 2010.
Foreign exchange earnings during August 2011 were worth Rs.5,734 crore compared to Rs.4,620 crore in August 2010 and Rs.4,115 crore in August 2009.
