Continuing the trajectory of growth, government has earned more than Rs 5,500 crore (Rs 55 billion) as foreign exchange from tourists in March this year.
The total foreign exchange earnings in March this year were Rs 5,507 crore (Rs 55.07 billion) as compared to Rs 4,437 crore (Rs 44.37 billion) in the corresponding period last year and Rs 5,035 crore (Rs 50.35 billion) in March 2008, an official statement said.
The number of total foreign visitors during March this year were 4,72,000 as against 4,18,000 in March 2009 and 4,80,000 in March 2008, it said.
The growth rate in forex in March 2010 over the same period last year was 24.1 per cent as compared to negative growth rate of 11.9 per cent in March 2009 over March 2008.
As far as foreign tourist arrival is concerned, there has been a growth of 12.9 per cent in March this year over the corresponding period last year as compared to a negative growth of 12.9 per cent registered in March 2009 over March 2008.
A total of 15.63 lakh (1.56 million) foreign tourists visited the country during January-March 2010 as compared to 13.86 lakh (1.38 million) in the corresponding period last year, the statement said.
