Forex inflows through tourists down over 6% at $1.8 bn in January

India's foreign exchange earnings from tourist arrivals in dollar terms during January 2014 registered a negative growth of 6.2 per cent at $1.805 billion, compared to earnings of $1.925 billion during January 2013, which in turn had increased by 14.5 per cent from $1.681 billion in January 2012.

Foreign exchange earnings from tourist arrivals during January 2014 rose around seven per cent to Rs11,197 crore, compared to a 21.4 per cent growth to Rs10,465 crore in January 2013 and Rs8,623 crore in January 2012.

Foreign tourist arrivals in January 2014 stood at 7.20 lakh, which was up around 3 per cent from 6.99 lakh in January 2013. Tourist arrivals stood at 6.81 lakh in January 2012.

The monthly estimates of foreign tourist arrivals are calculated on the basis of data at major ports and foreign exchange earnings from tourism are taken from data available with the Reserve Bank of India.

Meanwhile, the central government has advised state governments to take steps to ensure safety and security of tourists arriving from various countries through deployment of police personnel at places of tourism, minister of state for tourism K Chiranjeevi informed the Rajya Sabha in written reply.

In addition, the ministry of tourism along with all stakeholders, including the tourism departments of all states and union territories, have adopted a 'Code of Conduct for Safe and Honourable Tourism', which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children.

Governments of 13 states have introduced `Tourist Police' in their states in some form or another, the minister said.

As a first step towards promoting tourism by facilitating seamless travel between states and providing the basic infrastructure in the country in a holistic manner, including NER, the ministry of tourism has taken up with state governments and the ministry of road transport and highways the issue of rationalisation of Motor Vehicle Taxes, he pointed out.