ASSOCHAM survey incorrect – Chiranjeevi
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India’s Minister for Tourism, Dr K Chiranjeevi said that the conclusion of ASSOCHAM’s quick random survey undertaken by the association’s Social Development Foundation is incorrect.
The survey concluded that there has been a decrease of 25% in foreign tourist inflow and a decrease of 35% in women foreign tourist inflow in India since December 2012. The Minister said that as the figures given below clearly show that the number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during January, February and March 2013 have registered positive growth over the corresponding months of 2012:
Period |
FTA in 2013 (P) [in lakh] |
FTA in 2012 (P) [in lakh] |
Growth rate in 2013 over 2012 |
January |
6.99 |
6.81 |
2.6% |
February |
6.88 |
6.77 |
1.6% |
March |
6.40 |
6.23 |
2.8% |
January-March |
20.27 |
19.81 |
2.3% |
P – Provisional Figures
The gender-wise break-up of the FTAs for 2012 and 2013 is not available with the Ministry of Tourism. Chiranjeevi said, travel advisories are issued by various countries from time to time, advising their citizens to avoid travel or to take precautions while travelling to other countries/certain areas in other countries for various reasons. The Ministry of Tourism has already posted its advisory on the website incredibleindia.org indicating that India remains a safe destination for international visitors including women tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism has also written to all the Chief Secretaries of the State Governments and the Union Territory Administrations to take immediate and effective steps for ensuring conducive and friendly environment for all tourists. They have also been requested to publicize the steps being taken/proposed to be taken to increase the sense of security amongst the present/prospective visitors as also to counter the negative publicity, the Minister added.