Forex earnings from tourism up by over 12 per cent

Foreign exchange earnings from tourism, crucial to combat the current account deficit (CAD), has increased by more than 12 per cent in September this year as compared to the corresponding period last year.
Forex earnings from tourism in September 2013 was Rs 7,502 crores as against Rs 6,652 crore in the same period last year, an increase of 12.8 per cent, according to Tourism Ministry data.
There were 4.36 lakh foreign tourists, who visited the country in September as compared to 4.12 lakh in the same month last year, showing a growth of 5.8 per cent.
To boost foreign tourist inflow, government is finalising an action plan to ease visa norms and also to extend visa on arrival facility to as many as 40 more countries including US, UK, Germany, France, Brazil and Russia.

Currently, India has extended the visa-on-arrival scheme to 11 countries including Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Tourists from the US constitute about 16 per cent share in the total arrival of foreign tourists across India, followed by the UK at 11.9 per cent.

Besides, Bangladesh at 7 per cent, Sri Lanka (4.5 per cent) and Canada (3.8 per cent) are among the top five countries with maximum foreign tourist arrivals in India.
A concerted Incredible India campaign is being launched to attract foreigners to the country, said a senior Tourism Ministry official.
Tourism Ministry is also planning to have agreements with various countries to strengthen tourism cooperation.