By BW Hotelier

ACCORDING TO data compiled by Ministry of Tourism, 6.33 lakh foreign tourists visited India last month as compared to 5.69 lakh in July 2014 and 5.06 lakh in July 2013. A growth of 11.3 per cent was registered in July 2015 over July 2014. The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during January-July 2015 were 44.78 lakh as compared 42.75 lakh during the same period in 2014. There has been a growth of 4.8 per cent during January-July 2015 over January-July 2014.
The percentage share of FTAs in India during July 2015 among the top 15 source countries was highest from USA (16.51 per cent) followed by Bangladesh (16.44 per cent), UK (12.29 per cent), France (3.43 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.36 per cent), Malaysia (3.32 per cent), Canada (2.75 per cent), Germany (2.45 per cent), China (2.33 per cent), Japan (2.25 per cent), Australia (2.21 per cent), Nepal (2.16 per cent), Singapore (1.71 per cent), Oman (1.57 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (1.55 per cent). These top 15 countries account for 74.33 per cent of total FTAs during July 2015.
The percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during July 2015 among the top 15 ports was highest at Delhi Airport (27.04 per cent) followed by Mumbai Airport (17.48 per cent), Chennai Airport (10.66 per cent), Haridaspur Land check post (9.38 per cent), Bengaluru Airport (7.32 per cent), Cochin Airport (4.96 per cent), Hyderabad Airport (4.64 per cent), Kolkata Airport (3.88 per cent), Gede Rail (1.78 per cent), Trivandrum Airport (1.67 per cent), Tiruchirapalli Airport (1.40 per cent), Amritsar Airport (0.97 per cent), Ghojadanga Land check post (0.93 per cent) and Attari Wagha Land check post (0.78 per cent). These top 15 ports account for 94.74 per cent of total FTAs during July 2015.
The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) during July 2015 were Rs 11,452 crore as compared to Rs 10,336 crore in July 2014 and Rs 8,620 crore in July 2013. FEEs from tourism in January-July 2015 were Rs 71,754 crore as compared with Rs 67,096 crore during the same period last year.
Photo caption: Delhi Airport saw 27.04 per cent of foreign tourist arrivals of total July 2015 inflows.