Foreign Tourist Arrival In India Surges In October

India continues to be thronged by foreign tourists every month. According to the latest statistics by the Ministry of Tourism, India recorded 6.56 lakh foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in October 2014 over 5.98 lakh and 5.56 lakh in October 2013 and October 2012 respectively.

“There has been a growth of 9.6% in October 2014 over October 2013 as compared to a growth of 7.5% registered in October 2013 over October 2012,” stated a report by the ministry.

The ministry also noted that nearly 58.35 lakh foreign tourists had arrived between January and October this year, registering a growth of 7.8% over the same period in 2013 (54.12 lakh FTA).

Interestingly, while the US and UK continued to be one of the top source countries for India, some of some of the other countries that ranked high on the list include Bangladesh, Srilanka among other. “…The top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (14.15%), followed by USA (12.55%), UK (10.95%), Sri Lanka (3.73%), Russia (3.64%), Canada (3.64%), Germany (3.57%), France (3.45%), Malaysia (3.09%), Japan (3.06%), Australia (3.05%), Malaysia (2.66%), China (2.23%), Pakistan (1.86%), Thailand (1.81%) and Nepal (1.79%),” stated the report.

In terms of Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism, India earned Rs 9,847 crore or $1.604 billion in the last month itself as compared to Rs 8,645 crore ($1.404 billion) in October 2013 and Rs 8,154 crore ($1.538 billion billion) in October 2012.
India recorded a growth of 13.9% in FEEs in rupee terms in October 2014 over October 2013, which had registered 6% growth over October 2012. While the growth rate in FEEs in US$ terms in October 2014 over October 2013 was growth of 14.2% against the negative growth of 8.7% in October 2013 over October 2012.

“The FEE from tourism in rupee terms during January-October 2014 were Rs 96,007 crore with a growth of 12.9%, as compared to the FEE of Rs 85,014 crore with a growth of 14.6% during January-October 2013 over the corresponding period of 2012. FEE from tourism in terms of $ during January- October 2014 were US$ 15.790 billion with a growth of 6.6%, as compared to $ 14.806 billion with a growth of 5.5% during January- October 2013 over the corresponding period of 2012”, noted the ministry in its report.

Industry players have attributed the rising trend to the fact that foreign tourists prefer visiting the country especially in the month of October as the festive season has started. “There is often a surge in the FTAs during this time. Indian festivals are colourful, which is an important attraction. The month started with Durga Puja followed by Dusherra, Onam and Diwali. It's been a month of festivals and tourists are intrigued by the culture,” said a tour operator who requested anonymity.

However, he added that most of the FTA would not have converted into any monetary benefits especially for the hotel industry since a large portion of these FTAs include NRIs. “Indians living abroad often visit home during Diwali. They comprise a considerable chunk of the FTA recorded by the country”, the operator noted.