India reports growth in tourism earnings

India's foreign exchange earnings from tourism stood at Rs4,983 crore ($1.03 billion) in July 2009 against Rs3,870 crore ($904 million) in July 2008, recording a growth of 28.8 per cent in rupee terms and 13.7 per cent in dollar terms.

Earnings from tourist arrivals increased 11.5 per cent in June, 8.7 per cent in May and 7.6 per cent in April this year compared with the corresponding months of the previous year.

Foreign exchange earnings from tourist arrivals during January-July 2009 stood at Rs29,676 crore ($6.04 billion) as compared to Rs29,695 crore ($729 billion) in January-July 2008.

Tourist arrivals in the country also showed positive, though marginal growth of 0.6 per cent in July 2009 compared to the previous month, ie, June 2009.

Foreign tourist arrivals in the country stood at 4,32 lakh in July 2009, compared with 4.29 lakh during July 2008 and 4.0 lakh in July 2007.

This has been the second consecutive month of positive growth in tourist arrival in the country since the onset of the economic crisis and the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Tourist arrivals in January-July 2009, however, stood lower at 2.9 million compared to 3.15 million in January-July 2008.

The ministry calculates the number of foreign tourists and foreign exchange earnings from tourism.