India welcomed 8.89 million international visitors last yearIndia's tourism industry continued to expand in 2016, as the country achieved a double-digit increase in terms of international visitor arrivals.
According to new data released by India's Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed a total of 8.89 million international visitors last year, up 10.7% compared to 2015. And visitor spending accelerated even faster, reaching a total of INR1.56 trillion (US$23.1 billion), up 15.1% year-on-year.
Bangladesh, the US and UK were India's three largest international source markets in 2016.
In December 2016 alone, India handled more than a million international visitors (1,037,000), up 13.7% compared to the same month last year, while visitor spending increased 18.7% to INR168.1bn.
The number of e-tourist visas issued at Indian airports reached 1.08m in 2016, accounting for approximately 12% of total arrivals. The system is now in place for the citizens of 161 countries.
