India in an attempt to woo more number of visitors from abroad has now allotted a total sum of Rs.275 crore for tourism promotion overseas.
Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said that nearly Rs.68 crore has already been spent on overseas promotions. The tourism ministry that has been launching various campaigns in the international source markets under the ‘Incredible India’ initiative has been witnessing an upsurge in the tourism sector ever since the brand line was launched in the year 2002. In 2007, the amount earmarked was Rs.165 crore, which went up to Rs.220 crore in 2008, while in 2009; Rs.240 crore was allotted for overseas promotions.
“From 2002, the year when the Incredible India brand line was launched, till 2009, arrival of foreign tourists to the country increased from 2.38 million to 5.11 million. The foreign exchange earnings have increased from Rs.15,064 crore to Rs.54,960 crore, while the domestic visits during the same period increased from 269.60 million to 650.04 million”, Seljia added.
The ‘Incredible India’ campaign launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to mainly promote the country as a major tourism destination had won the ‘World Travel Award 2009’ for being the best campaign of the year.
