The Foreign Tourists Arrivals (FTAs) to India in 2012 were 66,48,313 as compared to 63,09,222 in 2011, i.e., an increase of 5.4 percent.
Foreign Tourists Arrivals during the period January to October 2013 were 53.30 lakhwith a growth of 4.0%, as compared to FTAs of 51.24 lakh in the same period in 2012.
Domestic Tourist Visits in 2012 was 1036 million as compared to 865 million in 2011, the growth rate being 19.9% (2012 over 2011).
The Ministry of Tourism has taken following steps in order to ensure safety and security of tourists, including foreign tourists:
i. Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist Police in the States/Union Territories.
ii. In addition, the Union Ministry of Tourism along with all stakeholders, including the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have adopted the ‘Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism’ which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children.
iii. The National Tourism Ministers’ Conference was convened on 18th July, 2013 in New Delhi which resolved that the Departments of Tourism of all States and UTs will work for ensuring the safety and security of tourists, especially women.
iv. An advisory has been posted on the Ministry of Tourism website- www.incredibleindia.org indicating that India remains safe destination for international Tourists including women tourists.
13 State Governments have introduced the “Tourist Police” in their state in some form or another.
The Stake holders have identified focal points in their respective organizations to implement the ‘Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism’.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) Shri K. Chiranjeevi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
