India travel 'on the rise'

India travel is becoming increasingly popular for holidaymakers from across the world, new research has suggested.

The country's ministry of tourism compiles monthly estimates of foreign arrivals every month, with March 2010 showing an increase when compared with the same time frame last year.

According to the organisation, visitor numbers grew 12.9 per cent during the 30-day period, while 2009 saw negative growth of the same amount.

The data from March also revealed a three percentage points rise on the preceding month.

Between January and last month of this year, the influx of visitors expanded 12.8 per cent, while the same quarter in 2009 it slumped 13.5 per cent.

Information for the research is collated from high-profile airports in the country.

Last year, the nation's minister of tourism and culture said the UK market is particularly important for India.

Kumari Selja stated this is especially true for the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where Britons are likely to be "the biggest source market".

Posted by Chris Mackay"