Question : Inflow of Tourists

(a) whether the number of foreign tourists visiting the country is on the steep rise in this year as compared to last year;
(b) if so, the number and status of tourist inflow in the country along with their nationality during the last three years and the current year, country-wise and the revenue earned therefrom along with its impact on GDP of the country;
(c) whether the Government has started new tourism projects and opened tourism offices abroad and if so, the details thereof along with the expenditure incurred to run these foreign offices during the said period, country-wise;
(d) whether the Government has provided/proposes to provide any special package to various State Governments to attract more tourists in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the funds provided in this regard, State/UT-wise; and
(e) whether NRIs visiting India are also being counted as foreign tourists and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K. J. ALPHONS)

(a): Yes, Madam. The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India during January- November, 2017 (provisional) were 90.01 lakhs as compared to 77.83 lakhs during the same period in 2016 registering a positive growth of 15.6%.

(b): Nationality wise number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India during 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 (till November) is given at Annexure-1.

The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism during 2014 to 2017(up to Nov) are given below:
<pre>
Year FEEs (in Rs. Crore)
2014 1,23,320
2015 1,35,193
2016 1,54,146
2017 (till October) 1,44,225
</pre>
As per the 2nd Tourism Satellite Account of India (TSA) – 2009-10 and its subsequent estimates, the contribution of tourism to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 was 6.77%, 6.76%, 6.76%, 6.88% respectively. This information is not available for the last three years and the current year.

(c): For creation of tourism infrastructure, the Ministry of Tourism has two plan schemes viz. Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASHAD- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive for development of tourism infrastructure in the country including historical places and heritage cities. The details of projects sanctioned under these two schemes are given at Annexure-2.

No new tourism offices have been opened abroad.

(d): Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned projects under special financial packages to the States of Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir. Details of amount sanctioned and released are as given in Annexure-3.

(e): Arrival of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) along with the FTAs is counted for compilation of International Tourist Arrivals since the year 2014 in line with the UNWTO norms.

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