India Records 3% Surge in Foreign Tourist Arrivals During Jan-Nov 2019

Ministry of Tourism, in a recent statement declared that foreign tourist arrival in India has witnessed a growth of 3.23 per cent amounting to 96, 69,633 (travellers) during January-November 2019. As per a report around 93,66,478 overseas travellers had arrived in January-November 2018. The increase in number of foreign tourist arrivals has also impacted India’s ranking in Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum, which has moved the country to 34th rank in 2019 from 65th in 2013.

The significant rise in the number of overseas travellers in India is as a result of several steps taken by the Indian Tourism Ministry last year, including opening of 120 new peaks for mountaineering, reducing e–visa fees and GST rates on hotel room bookings, among others, to boost inbound tourism. Further, the government sanctioned 77 projects for development of thematic circuits for an amount of INR 6,035.70 crore till date under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The ministry also said that integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations is being undertaken under the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) Scheme. A total number of 28 projects have been sanctioned amounting to INR 840.02 crore under this scheme.

Here’s a detailed look at impactful initiatives undertaken by Ministry of Tourism to boost tourism in India:

• Recently, the government opened more than 120 for mountaineering and trekking, in a bid to promote adventure tourism in the country.

• The government reduced GST on hotel rooms with tariffs of INR 1,001-7,500/ per night to 12 per cent, while those above INR 7,501 bracket to 18 per cent.

• Meanwhile, during the first 11 month of calendar year of 2019, 25,51,211 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as against 20,61,511 during January-November 2018, registering a growth of 23.8 per cent, as per government data.

• Similarly, foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) during the January- November 2019, grew by 7.4 per cent tINR ₹1,88,364 crore compared to INR 1,75,407 crore in the same period previous year.

Source: Hotelier

Image Courtesy: IBTimes