New Delhi: The economic slowdown in the US and Europe coupled with adverse travel advisories hit the tourism sector in 2011 as the country saw less footfalls even during the festive season. In mid-October, travellers from the US, the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia were advised by their governments to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to India, citing terror threats. No country has softened the tone of these advisories, despite a strong response by the Ministry of External Affairs. It has affected 
the festive season with only 4.7 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in November as against 12.3 per cent growth for the same period last year. Till November, Incredible India campaign attracted 55.75 lakh foreign tourists including 11,121 visitors availing the visa on arrival facility. Nevertheless, the Tourism Ministry unveiled an ambitious target of attracting about 11 million foreign tourists and creating 24.9 million jobs in the next five...Slowdown-hit tourism sector in 2011
