Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008 - (Page 15)

India INDIA rEPorTS STroNG INCrEASES IN ForEIGN TourIST ArrIVALS I IN 2008 CoMPArED To 2007, DESPITE ThE GLoBAL ECoNoMIC SLoWDoWN by September 2008, +10.4% compared to the same period in 2007. While the percentage increase in arrivals in 2007 over 2006 for September was only 1.3%, the increase in 2008 was 9.6%. The resilience of the Indian tourism industry is also demonstrated by a growth in foreign tourist arrivals of over 10%, compared to the overall worldwide growth rate (+5%) and the growth rate of Asia Pacific (+6.9%) in 2008. India’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism, in rupee terms, hit 36,464 crores by September (+17.8% compared to same period in 2007, while the increase in 2007 over 2006 for the same period was +13.7%). In September 2007, there was a negative growth of foreign exchange earnings over 2006. However, the trend reversed - there was a 21.2% increase in FE earnings in September 2008, compared to 2007. India continues to be a long duration and high spending destination for foreign travellers. Statistics reported in the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer indicate that the foreign exchange earning per foreign traveller coming to India was US $2112 in 2007 - more than twice the foreign exchange earned per foreign traveller worldwide (US$948) and in Asia Pacific on average (US$1027). Most of the major Asian countries, includ- ndia is the world’s 7th largest country. The Himalayan mountain range, the highest in the world, forms a natural boundary to the north. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal lie to the west and east respectively, giving India some 7000 km of coastline. The climate varies from tropical monsoon in the south, to temperate in the north, and the terrain varies from the vast Deccan Plateau in the south, flat to rolling plains along the river Ganges, deserts in the west to the snow-capped Himalayas in the north. India neighbours China (Tibet), Bhutan and Nepal to the north, Pakistan to the northwest, Burma to the northeast and Bangladesh to the east. Sri Lanka lies at India’s southern tip, across the Palk Strait. India has made enormous strides since it achieved independence over 50 years ago. It is now the world’s largest democracy and 2nd most populous country. Economic growth since 1980 has been among the fastest in the world; social indicators for literacy, education enrollment, disease and mortality have steadily improved and poverty has fallen since the mid 1970’s. India’s tourism industry continues to report encouraging results despite the global economic slowdown. Foreign tourist arrivals reached 3.87 million www.travelnewseurope.com ing China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand reported lower foreign exchange earned per foreign traveller compared to India. The top 10 source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2007 were, 1) USA, 2) UK, 3) Bangladesh, 4) Canada, 5) France, 6) Sri Lanka, 7) Germany, 8) Japan, 9) Australia, 10) Malaysia. The extensive range of travel/tourism themes and microsites listed on the Indian Ministry of Tourism’s In- credible India website, reflects India’s sheer geographical size and varied landscapes, rich culture and colourful array of destinations and activities. ‘Holiday Ideas’ suggested on the website include: Adventure Sports, Cool Retreats, Deserts, Ecotourism, MICE, Luxury Trains, Beaches of India, Pilgrimages & Spirituality, Royal Retreats, Wellness, Wildlife and Heritage Sites. Established microsites include: Walk with the Buddha; Wildlife; Summer Retreat; Incredible Yoga; Incred17 November 2008 TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE http://www.travelnewseurope.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008

Cover&Contents
NEWS
WTM News Pages
DESTINATIONS - Tanzania
DESTINATIONS - India
BUSINESS - Winter Holidays
BUSINESS - Exhibitions

Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008