Foreign tourist arrivals in India likely to reach near pre-pandemic levels this year

Economic Times
Economic Times
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Foreign tourist arrivals in India reached 9.95 million last year, a 4.5% increase from 2023, indicating a recovery towards pre-pandemic levels. This growth is significant for the tourism sector, reflecting renewed interest from various global regions.
Foreign tourist arrivals in India likely to reach near pre-pandemic levels this year
A What happened
The Indian tourism sector is witnessing a resurgence, with foreign tourist arrivals reaching 9.95 million last year, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. This growth is significant as it approaches the pre-pandemic figure of 10.9 million visitors in 2019. The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) reports that many operators are experiencing a 10-15% rise in bookings, particularly from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. However, some industry players express concerns about competition from other tourist destinations and a lack of effective promotional campaigns for India. Despite these challenges, there is a notable trend towards longer stays and higher spending among tourists, with a growing interest in sustainable and experiential travel options beyond traditional routes. The outlook for 2025 suggests that arrivals could reach between 10 to 10.5 million, indicating a near-complete recovery.

Key insights

  • 1

    Increased Tourist Arrivals

    Foreign tourist arrivals in India grew by 4.5% last year.

  • 2

    Shift to Sustainable Tourism

    Tourists are increasingly interested in sustainable and experiential travel.

  • 3

    Challenges Remain

    Competition from other destinations and lack of promotion hinder growth.

Takeaways

India's tourism sector is on a recovery path, with foreign arrivals nearing pre-pandemic levels. Continued growth will depend on effective marketing and addressing competitive challenges.

Topics

Travel Economy Sustainability