DELHI: The foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) to India have grown 116.9% in September 2016 as compared to the corresponding period last year on e-Tourist Visa.
The tourist arrivals from the UK were the highest. They accounted for 15.5% of total arrivals, followed by US (12.4%) and China (9.0%) amongst countries availing e-tourist visa facility during September 2016, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
During the month of September, 2016, a total of 68,809 foreign tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 31,729 during the month of September, 2015 registering a growth of 116.9%.
This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 150 countries as against the earlier coverage of 113 countries, said the ministry.
The highest number of tourist arrivals has been seen in New Delhi (51.71%), followed by Mumbai (21.06%), Bengaluru (6.44%), Chennai (6.27%), Kochi (3.50%), Hyderabad (2.45%), Kolkata (2.34%), Trivandrum (1.35%), Amritsar (1.18%) and Dabolim (Goa) (1.11%).
The facility of e-Tourist Visa has been made available by the Government of India to the citizens of 150 countries, arriving at 16 International Airports in India.
The statement issued by Ministry of Tourism further stated that during January- September 2016, a total of 6,75,302 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 2,01,705 during January-September 2015, registering a growth of 234.8%. This high growth may be attributed to introduction of e-Tourist Visa for 150 countries as against the earlier coverage of 113 countries.
The percentage shares of top 10 source countries availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during September, 2016 included UK (15.5%), USA (12.4%), China (9.0%), Australia (6.0%), Germany (4.8%), France (4.3%), Spain (3.6%), Canada (3.1%), UAE (2.6%) and Malaysia (2.6%).
Meanwhile, the percentage shares of top 10 ports in tourist arrivals on e-Tourist Visa during September, 2016 included New Delhi Airport (51.71%), Mumbai Airport (21.06%), Bengaluru Airport (6.44%), Chennai Airport (6.27%), Kochi Airport (3.50%), Hyderabad Airport (2.45%), Kolkata Airport (2.34%), Trivandrum Airport (1.35%), Amritsar Airport (1.18%) and Dabolim (Goa) Airport (1.11%).
