The numbers of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) to India during 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 6.58 million, 6.97 million and 7.68 million, respectively. The figures of FTAs do not include the arrivals of NRIs. This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha.
The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) to India during January – June, 2015 were 3.85 million with a growth of 3.4 per cent over corresponding period of 2014. The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during January – June, 2015 were Rs.60,302 crore with a growth of 6.2 per cent over corresponding period of 2014.
The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during July 2014 – June 2015 was Rs. 1,24,488 crores with a growth rate of 8.05 per cent over July 2013 – June 2014.
The Ministry of Tourism does not compile the exclusive data of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Buddhist sites. However, 12819.52 lakh Domestic Tourist Visits and 223.35 lakh Foreign Tourist Visits to different States/UTs, including the visits to Buddhist sites during 2014 have been reported.
The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme with a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergising efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. The Ministry has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the twelve thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
For development of Buddhist Circuit, Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs.33.17 crores during the year 2014-15.
