FTAs cross 1 cr for the first time;Govt targeting doubling it

Foreign Tourist Arrivals to India has crossed the one crore mark 'for the first time' and the Centre is targeting doubling it in the next three years, Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam said here today.

"For the first time, the Foreign Tourist Arrivals have crossed the one crore mark. The total income from FTA comes to Rs 1,80,000 crore," Kannanthanam said.

The government had set itself a target of doubling the FTA in the next three years and the nightlife tourism would be promoted to achieve this, he said.

The tourism sector, contributing 6.88 per cent of the total GDP, generates 12.36 per cent of jobs in the country, he told reporters at Chengannur in Alappuzha district.

The unemployment issues of Kerala could be resolved to a large extent if the state focuses on tourism and Information Technology, the Union Minister of state for Tourism said.

On tourism development in Kerala, he said an expert team has been entrusted to study the tourism potential of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts.