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This story is from September 16, 2008

Despite terror strikes, India a prime tourist destination

According to a survey, the Asia-Pacific region recorded a growth of 10.4% in international tourist arrivals and 20.7% in international tourism receipts last year.
Despite terror strikes, India a prime tourist destination
NEW DELHI: India's position as a prime tourist destination appears to be in no doubt if the high interest in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) mart is any indicator.
The travel mart ��� to be held in Hyderabad between September 16-19 ��� has received an overwhelming response from European countries keen to do business with India.
Nearly 25 European countries including Italy, Greece, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark, Slovenia, Switzerland, Romania, Turkey and Poland account for 38% of the buyer registration.
Around 600 buyers and sellers representing over 50 countries will be part of the fair.
"Of the buyers, 46% are first-timers at the mart. The fair has also attracted North American countries like Canada, US and Mexico to explore business in India for the first time. This just indicates the growing interest in India as a destination of the future," said Leena Nandan, joint secretary, tourism ministry.
The response is no surprise. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Asia-Pacific region outperformed the rest of the world in 2007 by recording a growth of 10.4% in international tourist arrivals and 20.7% in international tourism receipts. In comparison, foreign tourist arrivals in the world grew at 6.6% while international tourism receipts grew at 15.4% in 2007 to reach $856 billion.
Interestingly, India was the big growth driver in Asia in terms of growth in foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) and foreign exchange earnings (FEE). While arrivals grew at 14.3%, receipts from tourism increased at 24.3% in 2007.
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