India registers 13.4% growth in tourist arrivals in Sept 2016

The Dollar Business Bureau

India recorded a 13% increase in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) last month as against the corresponding month of last year, data released by the Ministry of Tourism said on Thursday. 

Last month, 6.15 lakh tourists arrived in India, compared to 5.42 lakh in September 2014 and 5.09 lakh in September 2014. 

Bangladesh accounted for the maximum share of tourist arrivals into India at 20.58%, followed by USA (10.96%), UK (7.97%) and Malaysia (4.98%). 

During January- September 2016, FTAs in India stood at 62.07 lakh, registering a growth of 10.5% over that of 56.15 lakh during the same period last year.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) in rupee terms were Rs.11,781 crore in September 2016 as compared to Rs.10,415 crore in September 2015 and Rs.9,057 crore in September, 2014.  

FEEs earning in dollars were $1.765 billion in September 2016 as against FEEs of $1.573 billion in September 2015 and $1.488 billion in September 2014.
The FEEs growth rate in rupee terms, too, witnessed a growth rate of 13.10% in September 2016 as against September 2015 and 15% in September 2015 over September 2014. 

The Tourism Ministry compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on the basis of nationality-wise and port-wise data received from Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism.  

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has promoted India’s tourism industry across the world, the number of tourist arrivals in India and subsequent revenues earned from their visit have substantially gone up. During January-August 2016, approximately 6 million tourists visited the country, spending almost $15 billion. 

The expansion of e-visa facility, which is now issued to 150 countries from the earlier 113, has helped India achieve over 200% growth in the number of tourist arrivals. 

In the backdrop of an ongoing six-month tourist season, which began earlier this month, the country draws many foreign tourists, in particular from the Western world, because of a prolonged festive season and pleasant weather in many parts of the country.