India's forex earnings from tourism may touch $26 bn by 2015'

The country's foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector are likely to grow at 13 per cent per annum and touch $26 billion by 2015 from the current level of $20 billion annually, industry body Assocham today said.

"Growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 per cent, India's foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector are likely to reach $26 billion by 2015 from the current level of $20 billion," the chamber said in a statement

Besides, the arrival of foreign tourists in India is likely to cross 80 lakh mark by 2015 from 70 lakh at present, with a CAGR of seven per cent, according to an analysis conducted by Assocham, ahead of the World Tourism Day tomorrow.

The state-wise analysis revealed that Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are the top five destinations for foreign tourists and comprise 70 per cent of the total number of foreign tourists visiting India.

Maharashtra tops the list with a share of 25 per cent, followed by Tamil Nadu (17 per cent), Delhi (11 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (10 per cent) and Rajasthan (seven per cent).

"The Centre should further push India's tourism industry as its contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is about 6.6 per cent while its contribution to the total workforce is about 7.7 per cent and accounts for six per cent of the total investments," Assocham secretary general D S Rawat said.

The foreign exchange earned through tourism is critical to combat the rising current account deficit (CAD) and the government should look to boost foreign tourist inflow by easing the visa regime and enter into agreements with various countries' to strengthen tourism cooperation, he added.