The Foreign Tourist Influx to India grew by 4.1% during 2013 compared to 2012 despite negative signals from the global economy. During the period January- December 2013, 68.48 lakh (Provisional) tourists visited India against 65.78 lakh in 2012.
Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in rupee terms during 2013 were Rs.1,05,836 crore (Provisional) with a growth of 12.0% over the same period in 2012.The foreign exchange earnings during 2012 was to the tune of Rs.94,487 crore.
Domestic tourism continues to be the main contributor to the sector providing much needed resilience. The domestic tourist visits during the year 2012 are estimated to be 1036 million (Provisional), showing a growth of 19.9% over 2011.
Below are some of the steps which proved crucial in attaining high Tourist Influx.
Relaxed VISA Norms
To Achieve higher Foreign Tourists Indian has decided to further liberalize its VISA norms.
The provisions relating to two months gap between two visits of a foreign national to India on a Tourist Visa and Tourist Visa on Arrival has been reviewed by the Government. It has been decided to lift the restriction of two-month gap on re-entry of foreign nationals coming to India on Tourist Visa and Tourist Visa on Arrival.
Four new international airports have the facility to grant Visa on Arrival (Hyderabad, Thiruvanathapuram, Kochi and Bengaluru). Goa notified, but not yet operational.
The “Visa on Arrival†(VoA) Scheme of the government has become popular with the tourists. During the period January to November 2013, a total number of 17,594 VoAs were issued as compared to 13,903 VoAs during the corresponding period of 2012 registering a growth of 26.5%. The number of VoAs issued under the Scheme during January to November 2013 was Japan (5,704), New Zealand (3,349), the Philippines (2,615), Indonesia (2,400), Singapore (2,070), Finland (889), Vietnam (181), Myanmar (143), Luxembourg (126),Cambodia (100) and Laos (17).
Tourist Police
The Ministry of Tourism in consultation with State Governments/UT Administrations had proposed to set up Tourist Police at prominent tourist spots. The State Governments / UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other.
Focus on Bihar
Union Ministry of Tourism, the Departments of Tourism of the Governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) have entered into an agreement to cooperate in upgrading the quality of services and goods provided for tourists along the “Buddhist Circuit†in UP & Bihar.
Indian Himalayan Campaign
The idea is to remind the world that 73% of the Himalayas are in India. The main motive is to attract tourists during the Indian summer traditionally considered an off-season for India. This is being done to boost hotel occupancy not only in the Himalayas but also in the towns where the air and rail heads for the Himalayas are located. 50% concession has been announced on the climbing fee for climbing these mountains.
Virtual Tourism
India has become the first country in the world to give free walking tours. At present they are available for six towns. Software for another three cities is ready. Within two years every Indian state will have one walking tour.
360° Tours: These have been created for almost 100 Indian cities already. The target is 1,000 cities mainly visited by foreign and domestic tourists.
Google Travel Planner
Google has created a Travel Planner for 200 odd Indian destinations. India is the only country in the world right now to have a Travel Planner. It has been made by Google. By clicking a few important details of what you are looking for India, you could get a video, several pictures, 360° views and all the relevant information about that particular place. Google has also created a photo bank of more than 2,000 photos about India.