New Delhi–The number of foreign tourists in India increased by 16.5 per cent in January 2017 as compared to the corresponding month last year.

Similarly, Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) registered an increase of 15.5 per cent in 2016 when compared to that in 2015, said the Union Ministry of Tourism on Thursday.

“While surpassing the growth rate of 6.8 per cent in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) observed in January 2016 over January 2015, a significantly higher double digit growth rate of 16.5 per cent has been witnessed in the month of January 2017 over January 2016,” the ministry said in a statement said.

The ministry said the number of domestic tourists in 2016 was 1,653 million (provisional) as compared to 1,432 million in 2015 registering a growth of 15.5 per cent.

“Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have maintained the first and second rank, respectively, in terms of DTVs in 2016,” the statement added.

Madhya Pradesh gained several ranks to reach the third position leaving Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra at the fourth, fifth and sixth positions, respectively. (IANS)