Foreign tourist arrivals up despite travel advisories, attempts to create bad image: Prahlad Patel

Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) to India increased despite travel advisories issued by several countries and attempts by some groups to create "a bad perception" of situation in country, said Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel on Friday.

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In 2019, till December, re has been a 43-percent increase in tourists availing e-visa, Forex has grown by almost 19 percent and increase in FTAs is around 8 per cent as compared to same period in 2018

"I think data makes clear to those trying to create a bad perception of country in a planned manner that y have failed in comparison to attempts made by prime minister to showcase this country. data shows India is stable, peaceful and definitely worth seeing," said Patel when asked about effects protests against CAA, NRC, NPR have on tourism industry.

According to data from ministry, FTAs grew by 4.3 per cent in September 2019, a month after abrogation of Article 370 in Jammy and Kashmir, as compared to same period in 2018. Similarly, Forex grew by 11 percent during same period. In December, when protests against CAA and NRC began, FTAs grew by 3 percent and Forex by 16 percent, data said.

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