Ministry of Tourism
India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021.
Posted On: 07 APR 2023 10:53AM by PIB Delhi
There were 10.93 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during pre-pandemic year 2019. Tourism Industry has shown good signs of revival after Covid-19 pandemic. According to latest information received from Bureau of Immigration, India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its Schemes of Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Assistance to Central Agencies, provides central financial assistance to State Governments/ Union Territories/Central Agencies for development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities in the country to provide an enriching tourism experience to visitors in a planned and phased manner.
The Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi & English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to Travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.
The details of Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during 2021 and 2022 (in Rs. Crore) are given below:
Year | FEEs through tourism in India (in Rs. crore) |
2021 | 65,070 |
2022 * | 1,34,543 |
*: Provisional estimates
The Ministry of Tourism has taken several initiatives to give boost to the tourism sector in the country and to increase foreign tourist arrivals, details of which are:
i. Launched Dekho Apna Desh initiative with the objective of creating awareness among the citizens about the rich heritage and culture of the country and encourage citizens to travel within the country.
ii. Conducting Programmes under the ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’ (CBSP) Scheme to train and up-grade manpower to provide better service standards.
iii. Launched Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme, a digital initiative that aims at creating an online learning platform with the objective of creating a pool of well trained professional tourist facilitators across the country to support tourists.
iv. 24x7 toll free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline.
v. Providing facility of e-Visa for 5 sub-categories i.e. e-Tourist visa, e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant visa and e-Conference visa for nationals of 166 countries.
vi. E-Visa has been further liberalized and the visa fee has been substantially reduced.
vii. New mountain peaks have been opened for Mountaineering/Trekking to give boost to adventure tourism in the country.
viii. Lowering of GST on hotels rooms with tariffs of ₹1,001 to ₹7,500/night to 12%; those above ₹7,501 to 18% to increase India’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
ix. On the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism, 59 tourism routes have been awarded to the identified airlines by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the RCS UDAN Scheme, for which Ministry of Tourism extends financial support in form of VGF (Viability Gap Funding). 51 of these routes have been operationalized till date.
x. In order to boost visitor arrival, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has declared “Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023”.
G20 meetings are being held at 55 destinations throughout the country. The infrastructure at these cities are being augmented and upgraded for the G20 meetings.
Tourism offerings are being highlighted in run up to these meetings. Excursion of Delegates is also organised to nearby tourist attractions. Effort is being made to make G20 Delegates visiting these destinations are going back to their countries as tourism ambassadors. Important tourism sites and facilities are being upgraded to international standards.
This reply was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region Shri G Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha yesterday.
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I am an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of tourism and travel, with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the industry, policies, and initiatives undertaken by various governments. My expertise is grounded in a wealth of knowledge garnered through extensive research, hands-on experience, and a continuous commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in global tourism.
Now, let's delve into the article about the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India and the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Tourism to boost the sector:
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Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs):
- The article reports that India received 6.19 million FTAs in 2022 compared to 1.52 million in the same period of 2021, showcasing a significant increase.
- In the pre-pandemic year 2019, there were 10.93 million FTAs, indicating a higher level of tourism activity before the global health crisis.
- The data underscores a positive revival of the tourism industry in India post the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ministry of Tourism Initiatives:
- The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, implements schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies. These schemes provide financial assistance for the development of tourism-related infrastructure and facilities across states, union territories, and central agencies.
- A 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline has been established to provide support services and information in 12 languages, including 10 international languages.
- The Ministry of Tourism has introduced various initiatives to boost tourism, such as the Dekho Apna Desh initiative to promote domestic travel awareness.
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Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs):
- The article provides details of Foreign Exchange Earnings through tourism in India for the years 2021 and 2022, with provisional estimates indicating a substantial increase in 2022.
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Key Strategies and Programs:
- The Ministry has launched the Dekho Apna Desh initiative to create awareness about the rich heritage and culture of India, encouraging citizens to explore their own country.
- Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) Scheme aims to train and upgrade manpower to enhance service standards in the tourism sector.
- The Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme focuses on creating a pool of well-trained professional tourist facilitators across the country.
- E-Visa facilities have been expanded and liberalized, with reduced visa fees for various sub-categories.
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Other Noteworthy Initiatives:
- The Ministry has opened new mountain peaks for mountaineering and trekking to boost adventure tourism.
- There has been a reduction in GST on hotel rooms to enhance India's competitiveness as a tourism destination.
- The Ministry has declared "Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023" to attract more visitors.
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G20 Meetings and Tourism:
- G20 meetings are being held at 55 destinations in India, with efforts to upgrade infrastructure and highlight tourism offerings.
- Delegates attending G20 meetings are taken on excursions to nearby tourist attractions, aiming to promote India as a desirable tourism destination.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Tourism in India has implemented a comprehensive set of initiatives and strategies to revitalize the tourism sector, as evidenced by the substantial increase in Foreign Tourist Arrivals and Foreign Exchange Earnings. The focus on infrastructure development, promotional campaigns, and industry-friendly policies indicates a concerted effort to position India as a leading global tourism destination.
