Tourism sector in India during October 2009

Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism on the basis of data received from major airports. Following are the important highlights regarding these two important indicators of tourism sector.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs)

• FTAs during the Month of October 2009 were 4.48 lakh as compared to FTAs of 4.53 lakh during the month of October 2008 and 4.45 lakh in October 2007.
• There has been a decline of 0.9% in FTAs in October 2009 over October 2008. However, there has been an improvement vis-a-vis the growth rate of (-) 4.1% observed in September 2009 over September 2008.
• FTAs during January – October 2009 at 40.23 lakh were lower as compared to 43.24 lakh in January – October 2008.
• The growth rate in FTAs during Jan-Oct 2009 (-7.0%) marginally improved as compared to the growth rate during Jan-Sep, 2009 (-7.7%).

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from Tourism in Indian Rupee terms and US $ terms

• FEE during the month of October 2009 were Rs. 4806 crore as compared to Rs.4248 crore in October 2008.
• FEE during January – October 2009 were Rs.42395 crore as compared to Rs. 40712 crore in January – October 2008.
• FEE in US $ terms during the month of October 2009 were US $ 1028 million as compared to US $ 873 million in October 2008.
• FEE during January – October 2009 were US$ 8699 million as compared to US$ 9696 million during January – October 2008.
• The growth rate in FEE in Rs. term during January-October,2009(4.1%) registered an improvement over the growth rate during January-September,2009 (3.1%) .
• The growth rate in FEE in US$ terms during January-October 2009 (-10.3%) also improved over the growth rate during January-September 2009 (-13.1%).