Foreign tourist arrivals register 3.2 per cent growth

NEW DELHI: Despite the summer heat, the concerted Incredible India campaign brought positive results as more than three lakh foreigners visited the country in May, a growth of more than three per cent as against the same period last year.

There were 3.84 lakh foreigners who visited the country in May as compared to 3.72 lakh during May 2012, an increase of 3.2 per cent.

Describing the growth as "good news" for the tourism sector, a senior Tourism Ministry official said the rise in foreign tourist arrivals in May was due to the concerted Incredible India campaign involving "Land of Pi" and road shows abroad.

The official said there was a negative growth in April as compared to the corresponding period last year.

While road shows were conducted at six cities of Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan, an ongoing media campaign has been carried out promoting Munnar and Puducherry as "Land of Pi" based on Oscar-winning film "Life of Pi".

Our focus was on showcasing Himalaya peaks as part of the adventure tourism in Saudi Arabia while we promoted golf tourism and Buddhist circuits in Japan and South Korea, he said.

The foreign exchange earnings have also registered 9.5 per cent growth in May, 2013 as the earnings was Rs 6089 crore as compared to Rs 5562 crore in May, 2012.