New Delhi (PTI): More than 800,000 foreign tourists visited India in October 2017, 18 per cent more than in the same period last year, the tourism ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) in India last month was 876,000 as compared to FTAs of 742,000 lakh in October 2016 and 683,000 in October 2015.

“The growth rate in FTAs in October 2017 over October 2016 has increased to 18.1 per cent, compared to 8.6 per cent in October 2016 over October 2015,” the ministry statement said.

Most tourists came from Bangladesh (21.66 per cent) followed by the US (11.57 per cent), the UK (10.23 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.79 per cent), Canada (3.36 per cent), Germany (3.17 per cent), Australia (3.07 per cent), France (2.81 per cent) and Russian Federation (2.81 per cent).

With almost 33 per cent share of FTAs, Delhi airport remained the busiest followed by Mumbai (14.02 per cent), Haridaspur Land Check Post (between Bangladesh and India) (11.29 per cent), and Chennai airport (6.10 per cent).

The ministry compiles monthly estimates of FTAs, including those with e-tourist visas, on the basis of their nationality and port. The estimates are based on data received from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

October 2017 also saw a substantial rise in the number of tourists arriving on e-visas.

During October 2017, 176,000 foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas as compared to 105,000 during October 2016, registering a growth of 67.3 per cent, the statement said.

During January-October 2017, 1.243 million foreign tourists arrived on e-tourist visas against 781,000 during January-October 2016, registering a growth of 59.2 per cent.

Most tourists with e-visas used the Delhi airport (53 per cent) as their port of arrival, followed by Mumbai airport.

Tourists from UK (18.2 per cent) availed the e-visa facility the most.