UP Gets Included Among the Top 5 Tourism States in India

An ASSOCHAM report released on Thursday, states that in spite of the fall of the rupee, tourism is one industry that is prospering in Uttar Pradesh and bringing in foreign exchange to India.

The report says that Uttar Pradesh witnesses 4^th highest share in international tourist arrival across India. On this, the experts feel, “This situation should allow the state government and stakeholders to endorse the tourism industry and encourage it more.”

ASSOCHAM, the top industry body, reports that increasing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 13%, India’s foreign exchange earnings from the tourism industry are expected to reach US $26 billion in 2015 from the current level of about $20 billion.

“Growing at a CAGR of about 7%, from the current rate of around 70 lakh, by the year 2015, the international tourists visiting the country is expected to cross 80 lakh mark,” according to a study of international tourist receipts and foreign tourist arrival in India conducted by ASSOCHAM, ahead of the World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are collectively reporting around 70% of the total number of international tourists visiting India, which is making these states as the top 5 destinations that are attracting maximum number of tourists of foreign origin.

During 2006 to 2012, the number of foreign tourist visiting UP has increased by 1.5 times. The state has witnessed around 20 lakh foreign tourists in 2012 compared to around 13.2 lakh visiting the state in 2002, thus registering an increase of over 50% during this period.

India has made huge improvement in international tourism receipts in the past decade.

“As from about 0.64% in 2002, it has increased to about 1.65% in 2012. Also that, in this regard, the country has enhanced its world ranking from 37th position in 2002 to 16th rank in 2012,” said DS Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM quoting chamber’s analysis.

He added, “Centre should further promote India’s tourism sector as its total contribution to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is about 6.6%, its contribution to the total workforce is about 7.7% and accounts for over 6% of the total investments.”

“In addition, the foreign exchange earned through tourism industry is significant to battle the increasing current account deficit (CAD), because of this reason, the government should plan to promote foreign tourist inflow by relaxing its strict visa regime, while getting into an agreement with various international countries’ through embassies and high commissions to strengthen tourism cooperation aiming at destination development, endorsement, advertising and capacity building.”

As for now, with the total of over 10 lakh tourists visiting India, the United States of America (USA) holds the highest share of about 16%, followed by the United Kingdom (UK), holds the share of around 11.9%, with over 7 lakh tourists visiting India from UK.

Ref: www.hindustantimes.com