Assocham survey on foreign tourist incorrect, says Chiranjeevi

There has been a growth of 2.3 per cent in foreign tourist arrivals in January-March this year over corresponding period last year, Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has said, while rejecting an industry survey which said there was a decrease of 25 per cent due to safety issues.
The conclusions of the quick random survey undertaken by Assocham Social Development Foundation are incorrect, Chiranjeevi said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The survey has concluded that there has been a decrease of 25 per cent in foreign tourist inflow and a decrease of 35 per cent in women foreign tourist inflow in India since December 2012.

The reasons for the drop in foreign tourist inflows, according to the survey, are safety and security issues and the global economic slowdown.
The Minister said as per the available data the number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during January, February and March 2013 have registered 2.3 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year.
He said there were total 20.27 lakh foreign tourists who visisted India during January-March as against 19.81 lakh for the same period last year, registering 2.3 per cent growth.

He said Travel Advisories are issued by various countries from time to time, advising their citizens to avoid travel or to take precautions while travelling to other countries/ certain areas in other countries for various reasons.

Tourism Ministry has already posted its advisory on the website www.Incredibleindia.Org indicating that India remains a safe destination for international visitors including women tourists.
Chiranjeevi said that Ministry has also written to all the Chief Secretaries of the state governments and the Union Territory Administrations to take immediate and effective steps for ensuring conducive and friendly environment for all tourists.
They have also been requested to publicise the steps being taken to increase the sense of security among visitors as also to counter the negative publicity, the Minister added.