The disturbances in J&K is hitting the state hard in terms of foreign tourists inflow. According to recent data, the state, which is being ruled by BJP-PDP alliance, has witnessed a drastic drop in the number of foreign tourist visiting the state. The state, which recorded 60,845 tourist inflow in 2013 and 86,477 in 2014, has had just 58,568 in 2015.
However, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra emerged as the most preferred destination among foreign travellers. About 46,84,707 foreigners visited the southern state in 2015, while 44,08,916 chose Maharashtra for vacations. Delhi, which is considered as most sought-after destination, registered a mere 23,79,169 foreign tourists in 2015.
In 2013, Tamil Nadu had witnessed 39,90,490 foreign tourists, which rose of 46,57,630 in 2014. While in Maharashtra, the tourist inflow in 2013 was 41,56,343, which increased to 43,89,098 in 2014. The tourist inflow in Delhi was 23,01,395 in 2013, which increased to 23,19,046 in 2014.
West Bengal has also registered an increase in foreign tourists from 12,45,230 in 2013 to 13,75,740 in 2014 and 14,89,500 in 2015.
As per the second Tourism Satellite Account of India – 2009-10 and subsequent estimation for the next three years namely 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, the contribution of tourism to total employment in the country during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 were 10.17 per cent, 10.78 per cent, 11.49 per cent and 12.36 per cent, respectively, said Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism and Culture in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The FTVs during 2015 was highest in west (30.6 per cent) followed by South (29.1 per cent), North (28.4 per cent), East (11.4 per cent) and North East (0.5 per cent). The region-wise number of FTVs during 2013, 2014 and 2015 is also given below.