New Delhi, Feb 24 : Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni on Tuesday said that despite global meltdown and the Mumbai terror attacks, tourism industry registered an increase of 5.6 percent foreign tourist arrivals in 2008.

While replying the questions in the Rajya Sabha, Soni said the total number of tourists arrival in 2008, was 53 lakhs and 67 thousand.

"The country registered a growth rate of 14.56 per cent in the tourism sector as against the global growth rate of 6 per cent," she said.

The minister said Medical Visas are also being issued for foreign tourists coming to India for medical treatment.

"This time, government is giving top priority to the promotion of domestic tourism," she said while giving more information in this regard. (ANI)