New Delhi: India earned Rs 42,777 crores as foreign exchange through tourism during 2000-2002, Minister for Tourism Jagmohan informed Rajya Sabha on July 29.

Since July 2002, foreign exchange earnings picked up and there was a 10.65 per cent increase between July-December 2002 as compared to the same period in the year 2001, he said in a written reply.

He said the main constraints facing the tourism sector in the country include poor quality of infrastructure and environment in and around many of main tourist sites, the security scenario in the region that affects the perception of India as a safe and secure destination, inadequate quantity and quality transportation.

In reply to another question, he said in order to encourage and assist in the development and marketing of South Indian destinations in a unified manner, the government has taken several steps to increase tourist arrivals in India including South India.

PTI