Positive Growth Registered in both Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits During 2013

Market Research Division of Ministry of Tourism compiles data on domestic and foreign tourist visits to States/Union Territories (UTs) received from Departments of Tourism of various State Governments and UT Administrations. Following are the salient features of the compilation for 2013: (a) Domestic Tourist Visits to States/ UTs ·        During 2013, the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ UTs was 1145 million as compared to 1045 million in 2012 and 865 million in 2011. ·        During 2013, the number of domestic tourist visits to States/UTs registered a growth of 9.59% over 2012 as compared to growth of 20.9% in 2012 over 2011. ·        The top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in millions), during 2013, were Tamil Nadu (244.2), Uttar Pradesh (226.5), Andhra Pradesh (152.1), Karnataka (98.0), Maharashtra (82.7), Madhya Pradesh (63.1), Rajasthan (30.3), Gujarat (27.4), West Bengal (25.5) and Chhattisgarh (22.8). ·        The contribution of top 10 States was about 84.9% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2013. ·        Tamil Nadu has occupied the first rank in terms of DTVs in 2013 rising from 2nd rank during 2012 whereas Andhra Pradesh which was at 1st  rank in 2012 has dropped down to the 3rd rank. Uttar Pradesh which was at 3rd rank in 2012 has moved up to 2nd place. ·         Though the top ten States in terms of DTVs in 2013, remained almost the same as those in 2012 except the State of Chhattisgarh which was in 16th position has raised to the 10th position and Uttarakhand which was in 8th position by its negatively affected growth could not clinch a position among the top 10 States. (b) Foreign Tourist Visits to States/ UTs ·        During 2013, the number of foreign tourist visits (FTVs) to the States/ UTs was 19.95 million as compared to 18.26 million in 2012 and 19.50 million in 2011. ·        During 2013, the number of FTVs to States/UTs registered a growth of 9.24% over 2012 as compared to a negative growth of 6.3% in 2012 over 2011. ·        The top ten States in terms of number of FTVs (in millions) during 2013 were Maharashtra (4.16), Tamil Nadu (3.99), Delhi (2.30), Uttar Pradesh (2.05), Rajasthan (1.44), West Bengal (1.25), Kerala (0.86), Bihar (0.77), Karnataka (0.64) and Goa (0.49). ·        The contribution of top 10 States was about 89.9% to the total number of FTVs in the country during 2013. ·        The top ten States in terms of FTVs in 2013, almost remained the same as those in 2012 except that Himachal Pradesh which was at 10th position in 2012 got replaced by Goa, after sliding down by the position.