Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were the top five destinations for foreign tourists in 2005, Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni said Thursday.

For domestic tourists, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Rajasthan were most popular, the minister informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

India gets an estimated 3.5 million foreign tourists annually but the number of domestic tourists, including pilgrims, is estimated between 15 and 20 million.

While state governments are primarily responsible for development of tourist destinations, Soni said the tourism ministry is nonetheless providing funds under its infrastructure development plans for selected tourist circuits and destinations.

During the 10th Five Year Plan (2002-07), 904 projects have been approved so far and Rs.14.08 billion has been sanctioned.

Out of the total, 41 projects have been approved for Maharashtra and Rs.596.4 million sanctioned to the state government for implementing them.