Even as the state government has been trying hard to attract more foreign tourists, figures reveal that the number of such tourists last year was much less as compared to 1988.
In 1988, the highest number of 76,194 foreign tourists visited the state, while 48,115 came to the state in 2010. Tourism received a severe blow after the eruption of militancy in the state in 1989. The average inflow of foreign tourists between 1990 and 1996 was around 10,000 per year.
The infrastructure created over the years,besides gardens and parks, also suffered huge damage. Following an improvement in the security scenario, the state government made all efforts for the revival of tourism by developing the infrastructure for the restoration of the pristine glory of tourist places. Various circuits were also set up, but the efforts failed to yield the desired results. Although the influx has increased, the arrival of foreign tourists is still not up to the expectation of the authorities.
As per the official figures, in 2002 only 7,806 foreign tourists visited the state, while this figure went up to 41,000 in 2004 and continued to rise in 2005 and 2006. But the number fell again in 2009 and is still on the decline.
Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora said, “We are trying our best and are expecting good results. The total number of tourists, both domestic and foreign, has increased”.
