India sees six to eight per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2008

According to initial figures prepared by Ministry of Tourism (MoT) there has been six to eight per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2008 compared to 2007. As reported in today’s Economic Times (ET), last year the tourist arrivals in the country were 5.3 million compared to 5.08 million in 2007. According to a senior MoT official, foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector showed a growth of eight per cent at USD 11.5 billion last year as compared to USD 10.70 billion registered in 2007.

Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary, MoT stated, “ There has been a reasonably good growth last year keeping in mind the global economic meltdown and terror attacks. The tourism sector has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. It offers immense opportunities to entrepreneurs in various segments and industry should work aggressively to get better results.”