The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India rose 17.1 per cent in July 2016 over the same period a year ago.

Bangladesh accounted for the highest share of tourist arrivals followed by the U.S. and the U.K., according to a government statement. The government earned Rs.14, 319 crores as foreign exchange, stemming from tourist inflows.

The FTAs during July 2016 was 7.36 lakh as compared to 6.28 lakh during the month of July 2015 and 5.69 lakh in July, 2014.

FTAs during the period January-July 2016 were 49.22 lakh with a growth of 10 per cent as compared to 44.73 lakh with a growth of 4.6 per cent in January-July 2015 over January-July 2014.

The percentage share of FTAs in India during July 2016 is as follows: Bangladesh (17.30 per cent) the U.S. (16.51 per cent), the U.K. (11.67 per cent), Malaysia (3.49 per cent), France (3.12 per cent), Sri Lanka (2.94 per cent), Canada (2.66 per cent), China (2.32 per cent), Germany (2.31 per cent), Japan (2.2 per cent), Australia (2.2 per cent), Nepal (2.04 per cent), Oman (2.04 per cent), UAE (1.99 per cent) and Pakistan (1.66 per cent).

In percentage terms Delhi airport topped the list with a 26.22 per cent share followed by Mumbai airport (17.04 per cent) and Chennai airport (10.11 per cent).

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) during July 2016 stood at Rs.14,319 crore as compared with Rs.11,982 crore in July 2015 and Rs.10,284 crore in July 2014.

The growth rate in rupee terms during July 2016 over July 2015 was 19.5 per cent as compared to 16.5 per cent in July, 2015 over July, 2014.

FEEs during January-July 2016 amounted to Rs.87,384 crore with a growth of 15 per cent as compared Rs.76,017 crore with a growth of 9.5 per cent during January-July 2015 over January- July 2014.

In dollar terms, FEEs in July 2016 amounted to $2.13 billion as compared to $1.884 billion in July 2015 and $1.712 billion in July 2014. The growth rate in July 2016 over July 2015 was 13.1 per cent compared with the growth of 10 per cent in July 2015 over July, 2014.