Forex Tourism Earnings Rise by 12 percent in August 2013

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism in Rupees terms in August, 2013 increased by 12% to Rs.8,139 crore in comparison to Rs.7260 crore in August, 2012. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in August, 2013 was 4.74 lakh which was 4.46 lakh in August 2012 with a growth of 6.4%.

The following are some important highlights regarding FTAs and FEEs from tourism during the month of August, 2013:

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs)

·        FTAs during the Month of August 2013 were 4.74 lakh as compared to FTAs of 4.46 lakh during the month of August 2012 and 4.28 lakh in August 2011.

·        There has been a growth of 6.4% in August 2013 over August 2012 as compared to a growth of 4.0% registered in August 2012 over August 2011.

·        FTAs during the period January to August 2013 were 43.06 lakh with a growth of 3.6%, as compared to the FTAs of 41.56 lakh during January to August 2012.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from Tourism in rupee terms and US$ terms

·        FEEs during the month of August 2013 were 8,139 crore as compared to 7,260 crore in August 2012 and 5734 crore in August 2011.

·        The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms in August 2013 over August 2012 was 12.1% as compared to 26.6% in August 2012 over August 2011.

·        FEEs from tourism in rupee terms during January to August 2013 were 67,712 crore with a growth of 14.0%, as compared to the FEEs of 59,409 crore with a growth of 23.7% during January to August 2012 over the corresponding period of 2011.

·        FEEs in US$ terms during the month of August 2013 were US$1.294 billion as compared to FEEs of US$1.306 billion during  the month of August 2012 and US$ 1.264 billion in August 2011.

·        FEE from tourism in terms of US$ during January to August 2013 were US$12.025 billion with a growth of 6.7%, as compared to US$ 11.273 billion with a growth of  5.6% during January-August 2012 over the corresponding period of 2011.

Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on the basis of the FTAs data at major ports and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism on the basis of data available from Reserve Bank of India.

[Source: PIB (Ministry of Tourism) Press Release 10th September 2013]