Indian tourism industry expecting 11 million foreign arrivals

According to Indian Tourism Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma, Indian tourism industry grew by 10% year-on-year in the year ending 2014. Dr Sharma also stated that they are planning to draw 11 million overseas tourists in 2015.

The 11 million figure is one percent of the global 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals. Sharma reported at a press conference that several changes are on the anvil to help the tourism industry reach this figure. This will represent a 57% jump over the 6.58 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India in 2014. The corresponding number in 2013 was 6.15 million. Tourism foreign exchange earnings in India were $17.6 billion, 5.2% more than 2013’s $16.7 billion.

Foreign arrivals peaked in October with 656,000 arrivals, possibly due to a large number of tourists coming in for Diwali and Navaratri, two major Indian festivals. July and August saw the highest year-on-year growth at 12.9% and 16.9%, respectively, and 572,000 and 569,000 arrivals.
Source: http://goo.gl/3472u1