INDIA: Performance of Tourism Sector during March 2010
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Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) on the basis of data received from major airports. Following are the important highlights, as regards these two important indicators of tourism sector, for March 2010.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs):

• FTAs during the Month of March 2010 were 4.72 lakh as compared to FTAs of 4.18 lakh during the month of March 2009 and 4.80 lakh in March 2008.

• There has been a growth of 12.9% in March 2010 over March 2009 as compared to a negative growth of 12.9% registered in March 2009 over March 2008.

• Growth rate in FTAs during March 2010 (12.9%) is higher than that observed during February, 2010 (9.9%).

• FTAs during the period January-March 2010 were 15.63 lakh with a growth rate of 12.8%, as compared to the FTAs of 13.86 lakh and a negative growth rate of 13.5% during January-March 2009 over the corresponding period of 2008.

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

• FEE during the month of March 2010 were Rs.5507 crore as compared to Rs.4437 crore in March 2009 and Rs. 5035 crore in March 2008.

• The growth rate in FEE in Rupee terms in March 2010 over March 2009 was 24.1 % as compared to negative growth rate of 11.9 % in March 2009 over March 2008.

• FEE in US$ terms during the month of March 2010 were US$ 1209 million as compared to FEE of US$ 867 million during the month of March 2009 and US$ 1248 million in March 2008.

• The growth rate in FEE in US$ terms in March 2010 over March 2009 was 39.4 % as compared to the negative growth of 30.5 % in March 2009 over March 2008.


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