The foreign tourist arrivals have touched 3.87 millions by September this year, which is an increase of 10.4 per cent over corresponding period of previous year.

While the percentage increase in foreign tourist arrivals of 2007 over 2006 for the month of September was 1.3 per cent, the increase in 2008 has been as high of 9.6 per cent.

India's foreign exchange earnings in tourism sector have touched Rs 36,464 crores by September, which is a 17.8 per cent increase over previous year while the increase in 2007 over 2006 for the same period was 13.7 per cent.

Interestingly in September 2007, there was a negative growth of foreign exchange earnings over 2006. However, the trend has been reversed and there has been 21.2 per cent increase in forex earnings.

India continues to be a long duration and high spending destination for foreign travellers.

According to the UN World Tourism statistics, forex earnings per foreign traveller coming to India has been USD 2,112 in 2007, which is more than twice the foreign exchange of USD 948 earned per foreign traveller worldwide, as well as Asia Pacific's USD1,027.