Travellers seem to giving India a miss this festive season amid high airfares and economic slowdown woes. Foreign tourist arrivals for November 2012 saw a growth of 3% with 690,000 foreign tourists coming to India. In November 2011, the growth in foreign tourists arrivals was over 10%.
The growth rate in foreign exchange earnings was around 22% for November 2012.
Foreign exchange earnings during November 2012 were $1,776 million as compared to earnings of $1,566 million during November 2011.
Global economic slowdown has had an adverse impact on the foreign tourist arrivals. The aviation crisis in the country too has contributed to an increase in the cost of travelling for both inbound and outbound tourists.
In reply to a parliament question recently, Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said: “The ministry is promoting the tourism industry in the country as a holistic destination in the domestic and international markets through print and electronic media campaigns, tourist literature, and publicity collaterals and also through its India Tourism offices located in India and abroad.”
Chiranjeevi on assuming the charge of new tourism minister said that he would he would “seek the cooperation of cinestars in promotion of incredible India”.
