According to figures released by the tourism ministry, the country's foreign tourist arrivals during the last month (May 2010) increased by around 16% as compared to the same period of last year (May 2009).

The report said that foreign arrivals during May grew by 15.5% to 345,000 as against 299,000 in May 2009.

The foreign tourist arrivals in May 2008 stood at 304,000. In this way, there was a pessimistic growth of 1.9% during the last year from the year before.

The arrivals in May were much higher than in April 2010.

During January-May 2010, foreign tourist arrivals stood at 2.2 million, with a growth rate of 11.3%.

Likewise, the foreign exchange incomes recorded an increase in May 2010. From Rs 3,249 crore in May 2009, it rose to Rs 4,358 crore this year.

The growth rate in terms of rupees in May 2010 over 2009 was 34.1%, the statement added. (With Inputs from Agencies)