International tourist arrivals have gone up to 6.8% with around 8.44 lakh tourists arriving India during last month, when compared to 7.91 lakh during the similar month of previous year. Senior officials in tourism department are predicting a 10% increase during this year. The arrivals during last month are a key improvement from the entire increase of 4.5% during last year.
According to Vinod Zutshi, Union Tourism Secretary, it is predicted that the international tourist arrivals would rise by 10% and the domestic tourism would grow by 15% during this year. There are many steps that are being taken by the Government of India that includes online visa and other visa changes whose affect would be felt now.
International Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from the tourism sector has also been increased by 13% from Rs 12,100 crore in January 2015 to Rs.13,699 crore during this year.
The US has top the list of overseas tourist arrivals in the country during last month among top 15 nations with 15.29% next to follow is Bangladesh with 11.99%, the UK with 11.23%, Canada with 4.87%, Australia with 3.97% and Russia with 3.71%.
The major part of the growth could be attributed to the start of e-visa facility that has now been extended to more than 100 nations. Among the visa changes, increasing the facility of e-visa for business and medical tourists, increasing the stay period from 30 to 60 days. Allowing multiple entries on the e-visa as against the present single entry provision.
