The ongoing global financial crisis adversely impacted Indian tourism sector, resulting in declining in the number of foreign tourists visiting India to 4.87 lakh in January as compared to 5.91 lakh during the same period last year.

Number of foreign travelers declined 12.5% in December 2008, posing a threat to country's hospitality industry, already facing tough situation in the midst of recessionary waves across the world.

Hospitality industry, tour operators and airlines suffered much in the wake of global slowdown and terror attack on the financial capital of the county on December 26 last year.

Decline in number of foreign customers also hit India's foreign exchange earnings, reducing the income to $941 million in January as compared to $1,382 million in the same month last year.

Taking the slowdown in tourism sector very seriously, the ministry announced slew of measures to promote tourism in the country and declared current year as `Visit India' year. It has taken various steps, hoping recovery in tourism industry, by providing complimentary services to foreign tourists, involving leading hotels and tour operators in its tourism promotion programs.