New Delhi, July 23 - The Indian government has initiated several schemes to woo foreign tourists following a sharp decline in the number of footfalls in the first quarter of the year because of the financial meltdown, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja told the Rajya Sabha Thursday.

The minister, in reply to a query by member A. Elavarasan, said her ministry, through its Indiatourism offices overeseas, has launched a series of promotional activities to increase the number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA).

The gamut of activities include advertising, participation in travel fairs, exhibitions, road shows, India evenings, workshops, food and cultural carnivals, publication of brochures, inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion-makers to visit the country under the hospitality programme of the ministry, she said.

In addition, a Visit India 2009 scheme has also been announced by the tourism ministry.