The compilation of monthly estimates of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) by Ministry of Tourism revealed a 11.3 per cent growth in FTAs in February 2016. FTAs during February 2016 were 8.47 lakh as compared to 7.61 lakh during the same period last year and 7.56 lakh in February 2014. FTAs during January-February 2016 were 16.91 lakh with a growth of 9.0 per cent as compared to 15.52 lakh with a growth of 2.5 per cent in January-February 2015 over January-February 2014.
The percentage share of FTAs February, 2016 among the top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (12.96 per cent), followed by the USA (12.94 per cent), UK (12.45 per cent), Canada (4.71 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.86 per cent), Germany (3.51 per cent), France (3.46 per cent), Malaysia (3.34 per cent), China (3.08 per cent), Russia (3.07 per cent), Australia (2.69 per cent), Japan (2.37 per cent), Thailand (2.28 per cent), Nepal (1.69 per cent) and Afghanistan (1.65 per cent).
Whereas, the percentage among the top 15 ports was highest at Delhi Airport (32.33 per cent), followed by Mumbai Airport (17.24 per cent), Chennai Airport (7.33 per cent), Haridaspur land check post (6.98 per cent), Bengaluru Airport (5.66 per cent), Goa Airport (4.52 per cent), Kolkata Airport (4.21 per cent), Hyderabad Airport (2.69 per cent), Kochi Airport (2.65 per cent), Ahmedabad Airport (2.18 per cent), Gede Rail (2.00 per cent), Sonauli Land check post (1.58 per cent), Trivendrum Airport (1.48 per cent), Amritsar Airport (1.44 per cent) and Tiruchirapalli Airport (1.27 per cent).
Foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) om February 2016 from tourism in INR stood at ₹13,627 crore as compared to ₹11,642 crore in February 2015 and ₹11,510 crore in February 2014. The growth rate in FEEs in February 2016 over February 2015 was marked at 17.1 per cent as compared to the growth of 1.1 per cent in February 2015 over February 2014.
