Record number of tourist arrival and foreign exchange earnings in 2007

The tourism sector witnessed a remarkable growth in 2007 especially in terms of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) and foreign exchange earnings (FEE). The estimated number of FTA in 2007 touched 5 million, compared to 4.45 million in 2006 registering a growth rate of over 12 per cent in 2007 over 2006.

The estimated FEE during 2007 was $11.96 billion as compared to $8.93 billion in 2006. The growth rate in FEE in 2007 over 2006 is 33.8 per cent as compared to the growth rate of 19.2 per cent in 2006 over 2005. In rupee terms, the FEE in 2007 was Rs49,413 crore as compared to Rs40,375 crore in 2006 with a growth rate of 22.4 per cent as compared to the growth rate of 21.9 per cent in 2006 over 2005.

The impressive performance of the tourism sector has been attributed to the positive image created about the country through successful branding of Incredible India (See: Incredible response to Incredible India campaign).

The promotional campaigns run by the union ministry of tourism have led to immense interest in India as a tourist destination. India has been awarded Favourite Country of the Year in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers Travel Awards-2007- a renowned magazine in the travel trade and has also won WTAs Asias Best Destination Award for the year 2007.