The number of foreign tourists visiting the country during September this year is higher than that of the same month last year. 3.69 lakh foreign tourists came to India in September this year as compared to 3.28 lakh during the same period in 2009 and 3.42 lakh in September 2008.
There has been a growth of 12.6 per cent in foreign tourist arrival in September 2010 over September 2009 as compared to a negative growth of 4.1 per cent registered in September 2009 over September 2008.
According to the Tourism Ministry data, the growth rate in September 2010 (12.6 per cent) is more than that observed during August 2010 (9 per cent) July 2010 (4.1 per cent) and June 2010 (8 per cent).
There were 38.36 lakh foreign visitors during January-September period this year with a growth rate of 10 per cent as compared to 34.88 lakh visitors for the same period last year.
Foreign exchange earnings from tourism during September 2010 were Rs 4,678 crore (Rs 46.78 billion) as compared to Rs 3,798 crore (Rs 37.98 billion) in September 2009 and Rs 3,143 crore (Rs 31.43 billion) in September 2008.
The growth rate in forex in September 2010 over September 2009 was 23.2 per cent.
