Despite the fact that many hoteliers and travel agents were disappointed with the low turnout for the Games, the Ministry of Tourism has stated in a release that the number of foreign visitors to New Delhi had increased by more than 5 per cent during that period. About 75,000 foreign tourists arrived between October 1 and 15 for the Games.
The 5 per cent increase in tourists is, however, less than the national average rise of 9.2 per cent.
While 4.46 lakh tourists had come to India last year, as many as 4.87 lakh arrived in October 2010. Against the apprehension of a decline in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in Delhi due to Commonwealth Games, the Delhi airport actually registered an increase of 5.1 per cent in October, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.
According to the release, FTAs during the January-October period were 43.22 lakh with a growth rate of 9.9 per cent, as compared to FTAs of 39.34 lakh and a negative growth rate of 6.7 per cent during January-October 2009 over the corresponding period of 2008.
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