Foreign Exchange Earnings from Tourism register a growth of 8.05% in the period July 2014-June 2015 over the same period of 2013-14 Rs.33.17 Crore Sanctioned For Development of Budhhist Circuit During the year 2014-15.

Foreign Exchange Earnings from Tourism register a growth of 8.05% in the period July 2014-June 2015 over the same period of 2013-14

Rs.33.17 Crore Sanctioned For Development of Budhhist Circuit During the year 2014-15.

The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during July, 2014 - June, 2015 was Rs.1,24,488 Crore with a growth rate of 8.05% over July, 2013 - June, 2014.

The Ministry of Tourism does not compile the exclusive data of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Buddhist sites. However, 12819.52 Lakh Domestic Tourist Visits and 223.35 Lakh Foreign Tourist Visits to different States/UTs, including the visits to Buddhist sites during 2014 have been reported.

The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme with a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergizing efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. The Ministry has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the twelve thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

For development of Budhhist Circuit, Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs.33.17 Crore during the year 2014-15.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question today in Rajya Sabha.

NB/AK/UD