With an estimated 1.6 billion international tourists expected to visit the country by 2020 as senior India tourism Ministry official said this week that around 950 million jobs would be created in the tourism sector by 2010.
“Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) have increased considerably in the recent years from about 3.46 million in 2004 to 5.08 million in 2007.â€
“During January and July 2008, the FTA was around 3.14 million as compared to 2.38 million during the corresponding period of previous year,” Prabhakar Dubey, Director in the Ministry, said at a conference.
Along with FTAs, the number of domestic tourists has also risen from 366 million in 2004 to 526 million last year.
“Tourism has become an important segment of the economy. around 950 million jobs are expected to be created by 2010 in the sector,” Dubey said.
The Ministry, he said, has launched rural tourism schemes through community participation and about 130 rural project sites have been identified in 27 states to promote traditional rural arts, crafts and culture to attract visitors and provide them with authentic and traditional experience.
Of these, 36 sites are ready to receive visitors, he added.
A Report by The Mole
