(a) whether tourist inflow to India has dipped by 15% during the last one year;
(b) if so, whether the said decline is largely due to the poor handling of tourist traffic from abroad by our tourist offices located in various parts of World;
(c) if so, whether the Government propose to inquire into the matter;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the other reasons for the decline of tourist arrival?
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)
(a): The inflow has declined by 13.98 percent during the period July 2001 - June 2002 as compared to July 2000 - June 2001
(b) to (e): This decline is not due to `poor handling of the tourist traffic from abroad by our tourist offices` but due to terrorism related incidents and the general security environment. The Government are looking into all aspects of the challenge that has been thrown up by the unfavourable developments in the recent times.