Volcanic ash fails to dent tourist arrivals in India

India recorded a positive growth of 1.7 per cent in foreign tourist arrivals in April 2010 despite closure of airspace for more than a week in Europe due to volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Foreign tourist arrivals in the country stood at 3.54 lakh in April this year against 3.48 lakh in April 2009 and 3.61 lakh in April 2008. 

There has been a growth of 1.7 per cent in April 2010 over April 2009 as compared to a negative growth of 3.5 per cent registered in April 2009 over April 2008, official figures released on Friday showed.

The growth in foreign tourist arrivals at 1.7 per cent during April 2010, however, has been lower than the 12.9 per cent growth observed during March 2010.

Foreign tourist arrivals during the January-April 2010 period were 19.18 lakh with an year-on-year growth rate of 10.6 per cent, compared with a 11.7 per cent growth at 17.35 lakh during January-April 2009.

In rupee terms, foreign exchange earnings from tourism during April 2010 were Rs4,518 crore against Rs4,061 crore in April 2009 and Rs3,773 crore in April 2008.