The tourism minister said that approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022. “This is a four-fold increase in the number of arrivals over the last year.” New Delhi: Despite the severe effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, India saw a boost in foreign tourist arrivals in 2022, said tourism minister G Kishan Reddy said on Wednesday.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 1st Tourism Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency, the minister said that approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022. “This is a four-fold increase in the number of arrivals over the last year." Reddy added that the Ministry of Tourism is celebrating 2023 as ‘Visit India Year’. “It is focused on in-bound travel to India.
The tourists can experience boundless cultural heritage, spiritual experiences, wildlife resources and natural beauty." He said that over the last 8.5 years, India has built extensive tourism infrastructure worth approximately $1 billion (Rs.
7,000 crores) to improve tourist experience. “The country has taken several initiatives for skilling youth including short term hospitality courses, skill testing and certification, recognition of prior learning, and digital courses online." The minister added that India is nurturing and developing young ambassadors of Indian tourism through YUVA tourism clubs in schools and colleges across the country.