India sees 1086% increase in foreign tourists’ influx

The Dollar Business Bureau India registered a whopping 1086% increase in foreign tourist arrival during the first quarter of this year as compared to the same period last year. According to the latest government data, between January and April this year, a total of 94,998 foreign tourists visited the country on e-tourist visa as compared to 8,008 during the same period last year. In April alone, a total of 19,139 tourist arrived on e-tourist visa, up 783% as compared to 2,167 during the same month last year. The increase in number is attributed to the launch of e-tourist visa facility by the government in November last year. Expanding the scheme later, the government started providing the electronic travel authorization (ETA) to visitors from 76 countries. According to Union Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma, the government aims to enhance India’s share in global tourism from 0.64% at present to 1%. The government has allocated Rs 120 crore for the development of Himalayan circuit as one of the major tourist destinations in the Asian region. “A total of 73% of the Himalayas lie in Indian territory and India can utilize this unique advantage to boost the growth of tourism in the Himalayan circuit,” Sharma said. On Tuesday, Sharma held a meeting with representatives from various tourist destinations of states falling in the Himalayan mountain range. During the meeting, members of parliaments from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand shared various issues and discussed modalities to develop the tourist circuit. Among those who participated in the meeting include Anurag Singh Thakur (Hamirpur), Virender Kashyap (Shimla), Mehbooba Mufti (Anantnag), Thupstan Chhewang (Ladakh), Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (Hardwar), Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar), and Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah (Tehri Garhwal). MPs said that better air and rail connectivity as well as providing required amenities are a must to promote tourism in the Himalayan states. The development of Himalayan circuit is part of the tourism ministry’s new scheme Swadesh Darshan. “Tourism contributes foreign exchange to the country’s exchequer in a big way. It contributes up to 6.8% of India’s GDP share,” Sharma said, adding that Rs 120 crore have been allocated for the development of the Himalayan circuit and the amount can be effectively utilized for drawing up a roadmap to be prepared after consultations with the MPs concerned. Seeking suggestions from public representatives to boost tourism in their areas, the minister assured the MPS that there will be no administrative roadblocks to the development of tourism in states. He proposed that “Himalayan Darshan” can be started where the whole Himalayan region can be connected and an aerial view of the Himalayas can be planned to attract tourists. During the meeting with tourism minister, Mehbooba Mufti said that Jammu and Kashmir looks forward to turn around its economy by encouraging tourism. It will help the state generate income and employment for the local people. Mufti highlighted the need for providing more trains to Jammu and starting additional flights from Srinagar airport to increase tourist inflow. “Business tourism will get a big boost if convention halls are set up in Gulmarg and Patnitop,” she said and sought Centre’s help in reconstruction of infrastructure and restoration of heritage damaged by floods. MPs from Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh also demanded more air connectivity and development of new airports in their areas. MPs from Himachal Pradesh also suggested the development of village tourism based on the model of ’Home stays’ to promote tourism. Besides, sports tourism, adventure tourism and religious tourism can also be developed in the state. MPs from Uttarakhand asked for a monorail to connect Haridwar/Rishikesh and more airports like Uttarkashi.    

May 13, 2015 | 8:21 pm IST.