Foreign Tourists Arrival in India up 13 % in 2006

The number of foreign tourists visiting India during 2006 is provisionally estimated to be 4.43mn, showing an increase of 13% over the corresponding figures of 3.92mn during 2005. This was stated by Tourism Minister Ambika Soni in he Lok Sabha yesterday.

The foreign tourist arrivals to India from the top 10 countries during 2005 are given below:

The Tourism Minister said that steps were being taken to attract more foreign tourists to India.

They include:-

• Development of tourist spots under various schemes of infrastructure development for tourist circuits and destinations.
• Focusing on growth of hotel infrastructure particularly budget hotels.
• Enhancing connectivity through augmentation of air capacity and improving road infrastructure to major tourist attractions.
• Direct approach to consumers through electronic and print media through the Incredible India campaign.
• Creation of world class collaterals.
• Direct co-operative marketing with airlines, tour operators and wholesalers overseas.
• Greater focus on emerging markets particularly in China, North East Asia and South East Asia.
• Participation in Trade Fairs & Exhibitions.
• Optimizing PR and Publicity.
• Use of Internet and web marketing.
• Generating Tourist Publications.
• Reinforced hospitality programmes.