DOMESTIC Tourism Increases by More than Nineteen Percent During 2012

Foreign Tourist Arrival also Goes up by Over Six Percent

Andhra Pradesh Continues to be Most Popular Destination Among Domestic Tourists While Maharashtra Most Favoured State of Foreign Tourists

New Delhi, July 23, 2013: The number of domestic tourist visits (DTVs) to States/UTs registered an increase of 19.87% during the year 2012 over 2011 as compared to an increase of 15.6% in 2011 over 2010. According to the latest statistics on tourism in India released by Ministry of Tourism here today during the year 2012, the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ UTs was 1036 million as compared to 865 million in 2011 and 748 million in 2010.

The top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in millions), during 2012, were Andhra Pradesh (206.8), Tamil Nadu (184.1), Uttar Pradesh (168.4),Karnataka (94.1), Maharashtra (66.3), Madhya Pradesh (53.2), Rajasthan (28.6), Uttarakhand (26.8), Gujarat (24.4) and West Bengal (22.7). The contribution of these States was about 84.5% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2012.

Andhra Pradesh has occupied the first rank in terms of DTVs in 2012, whereas Tamil Nadu, which was at third rank in 2011, has moved to the second rank. Uttar Pradesh which was at first rank in 2011 has moved down to third place. Though the top ten States in terms of DTVs in 2012, remained the same as those in 2011 the rank of some to the States, changed slightly (by one place).

The number of foreign tourist visits (FTVs) to States/UTs registered a growth of 6.33% during the year 2012 over 2011 as compared to a growth of 8.9% in 2011 over 2010. The number of foreign tourist visits (FTVs) to the States/ UTs was 20.7 million in 2012 as compared to 19.5 million in 2011 and 17.9 million in 2010.

The top ten States in terms of number of FTVs (in millions) during 2012 were Maharashtra (5.1), Tamil Nadu (3.6), Delhi (2.3), Uttar Pradesh (2.0), Rajasthan (1.5), West Bengal (1.2), Bihar (1.1), Kerala (0.8), Karnataka (0.6) and Himachal Pradesh (0.5). The contribution of these States was about 90.1% to the total number of FTVs in the country during 2012. The top ten States in terms of FTVs in 2012, remained the same as those in 2011. (Source: PIB)