MoT complies data of FTAs and FEE in the tourism industry for last year

According to a PIB release, Ministry of Tourism (MoT) recently compiled monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) on the basis of data received from major airports. The data received showed that FTAs during the year 2008 was 5.37 million as compared to FTAs of 5.08 million during the year 2007. In spite of global financial meltdown and terror attacks, number of FTAs increased last year as compared to 2007. United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) also predicted a growth rate of two-three per cent for international tourist arrivals in the world during last year, whereas the Indian scenario showed a growth rate of 5.6 per cent. The number of FTAs in December 2008 also increased to 5.22 lakh as compared to 5.21 lakh in November 2008.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) last year was Rs 50,730 crore as compared to Rs 44,360 crore in 2007. FEE in USD terms last year was USD 11747 million as compared to USD 10729 during 2007.