Domestic tourism sector seems to have bounced back with December 2009 registering highest ever growth in foreign tourist arrivals into the country since the global financial sector crisis hit tourist inflow during end of 2008.
As per the tourism ministry, about 6.46 lakh foreigners visited the country during December 2009, up to 21% compared to 5.34 lakh in the corresponding month the previous year.” The growth rate in foreign tourist arrivals over December 2008 is 21% which is highest positive growth registered in any month of 2009 and a record in itself,” tourism minister kumari Selja said here on Friday. It seems India has become a favored tourist destination and people’s confidence has gone up, she said.
Foreign exchange earning from tourists during December stood at $1,510 million, up 44% .The country earned Rs 54,960 crore foreign exchange from tourism sector in 2009 as compared to Rs 50,730 crore in 2008, an increase of 8.3%.
The country, however, saw a dip of 3.3% to 5.11 million in number of foreigners visiting during 2009.
|
|
