International tourist arrivals in India is likely to grow by about 18 per cent this year to nearly three million, the national body of tour operators said on Tuesday.

Next year, the foreign tourists inflow is expected to touch an all-time high of over three million, Subhash Goyal, newly elected president of Indian Association of Tour Operators, told reporters in New Delhi.

He said there was an over 20 per cent increase in arrivals during October-December 2003.

IATO, Goyal said, would urge the government to reduce tax on aviation turbine fuel, single rupee tariff for all tourists, including foreigners and visa on arrival to further boost tourism in the country.

"We want to be treated at par with the software industry like 10-year tax holiday as we are creating jobs for the poorest of the poor unlike IT," he said.

The association also asked for a single window clearance on infrastructure investment like hotels.