Foreign tourist arrival grows by 4.3 per cent in 2012

As many as 65,77,745 foreigners visited India in 2012 as against 63,09,222 tourists the previous year, registering a growth of 4.3 per cent.
The growth is not very ideal but it is roughly double the world average, a senior Tourism Ministry official said.
An increase of at least one per cent in country's share in international tourist arrivals has been projected by the Tourism Ministry in the 12th Plan.
Currently India's share in world tourist arrivals is about 0.64 per cent.
During January to May this year, 28.63 lakh foreign tourists visited India, registering a growth of 2.1 per cent.

The tourism ministry has launched a global campaign on the theme 'Find what you seek', an extension of Incredible India campaign, this year to woo foreign tourists.

A series of roadshows showcasing Indian destinations are being undertaken in different countries, said the official.
In order to woo more foreigners, the ministry has stepped up efforts to make India a summer tourist destination by promoting virgin peaks of Himalaya.
"Summer days are considered as off season in tourism sector and as per the decision, we will promote Himalayas as summer destinations involving six states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal, Sikkim and Darjeeling in West Bengal," the official said.

Three short films are being made to be shown on TV focusing virgin peaks, availability of amenities, hotels, adventure activities like trekking, cultural festivals and cuisines of each of the region.
"Generally, not many are aware that 75 per cent of Himalayan range is in India which has several virgin peaks at 6,000 metre and above and these peaks and the nearby areas will be promoted in the campaign," said the official.
The TV commercials will be shown abroad as part of the overseas Incredible India campaign, said the official.
India is perceived as a winter destination and the foreign tourist arrivals witness a significant rise between November and February.

"Our aim is to make India a 365-day tourist destination by promoting Himalaya to attract tourists in summer season as well," he said.