Tourism Sector Registers Positive Growth during July 2009 in India

Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism on the basis of data received from major airports. Following are the important highlights as regards these two important indicators of tourism sector.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs):

• FTAs during the Month of July 2009 were 4.32 lakh as compared to FTAs of 4.29 lakh during the month of July 2008 and 4.0 lakh in July 2007.

• There has been an improvement in the growth rate of FTAs in July 2009 (0.6%) as compared to June 2009 (0.2%).

• Positive growth in the monthly FTAs, though nominal, has been witnessed for the second time in July during the year 2009.

• FTAs during January - July 2009 at 28.99 lakh were lower as compared to 31.49 lakh in January - July 2008.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from Tourism in Indian Rupee terms and US $ terms

• FEE during the month of July 2009 were Rs. 4983 crore as compared to Rs.3870 crore in July 2008.

• An improvement was observed in the growth rate of FEE (in Rupee terms) in July 2009 (28.8%) as compared to June 2009 (11.5%), May 2009 (8.7%) and April 2009 (7.6%).

• FEE during January - July 2009 were Rs.29676 crore as compared to Rs. 29695 crore in January - July 2008.

• FEE in US $ terms during the month of July 2009 were US $ 1028 million as compared to US $ 904 million in July 2008.

• FEE during January - July 2009 were US$ 6035 million as compared to US$ 7289 million during January - July 2008.

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