By Manoj K
New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS/IndiaSpend): A year after Narendra Modi took office as prime minister, claims by the ministry of tourism of an eight percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals and a 10 percent increase in foreign-exchange earnings appear unexceptional.

We emailed our findings to the ministry last week, requesting comment. There was no response.

1. Foreign-tourist arrivals grew 8.1 percent - which is below the 11-year average.

Claim: Foreign-tourist arrivals increased 8.1 percent between successive years 2014-15 and 2013-14

Check revealed: The 8.1 percent jump turns out to be below the 11-year average. The official figures for foreign-tourist arrivals in India for 11 years, between 2004 and 2014, show a year-on-year average growth of more than 10 percent.

2. Foreign-exchange earnings: 10 percent increase - same as seven of past 11 years.

Claim: Foreign-exchange earnings increased 10 percent to $17 billion during 2014-15, compared to $15.5 billion during 2013-14.

Check revealed: An analysis of data reveals that these earnings, in US dollars, increased more than 10 percent (year-on-year basis) in seven out of the past 11 years.