UP ranks fourth in tourist arrivals

Uttar Pradesh commands the fourth highest share of about 10 per cent in tourist arrivals in the country and the number has increased from over 13.2 lakh in 2002 to about 20 lakh in 2012,registering a 50 per cent growth,ASSOCHAM said Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh commands the fourth highest share of about 10 per cent in tourist arrivals in the country and the number has increased from over 13.2 lakh in 2002 to about 20 lakh in 2012,registering a 50 per cent growth,ASSOCHAM said Thursday.

Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu,Delhi,Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are the top five destinations collectively accounting for 70 per cent of foreign tourists,ASSOCHAM said. Growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about seven per cent,the arrival of foreign tourists in India is likely to cross 80 lakh by 2015 from the current level of about 70 lakh, according to an analysis of international tourist receipts and foreign tourist arrival in India conducted by ASSOCHAM ahead of the World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27.

USA commands the highest share of about 16 per cent in the total arrival of foreign tourists in India with over 10 lakh tourists,followed by UK (11.9 per cent share) with over seven lakh tourists visiting India from that country. Bangladesh (seven per cent share),Sri Lanka (4.5 per cent share) and Canada (3.8 per cent share) complete the top five countries with maximum foreign tourist arrivals in India.

India has improved its share in international receipts in the past decade,jumping from 37th position in 2002 to 16th in 2012, said D S Rawat,ASSOCHAM secretary general. The Centre should push Indias tourism industry as its contribution to the GDP is about 6.6 per cent while that to the total workforce about 7.7 per cent and accounts for over six per cent of total investments, said Rawat.

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