According to the recent data released by the government, India’s tourism sector has experienced remarkable growth post-Covid, recording 18.89 million international tourist arrivals in 2023. Last year, a total of 9.52 million foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) were recorded in India. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism also saw a substantial rise, amounting to INR 231,927 crore during the year. The domestic tourism sector was equally strong, with 2,509 million domestic tourist visits.
This year, the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned a total of 76 projects for an amount of INR 5287.90 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, out of which 75 projects are physically complete.
As part of its ongoing efforts to boost the tourism infrastructure, the government approved 40 projects worth INR 3,295.76 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), aimed at developing iconic tourist centres across 23 states.
Additionally, 34 projects were sanctioned in 2024 under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, with an investment of INR 793.20 crore. Under the PRASAD scheme, focused on pilgrimage rejuvenation, 48 projects were sanctioned for INR 1,646.99 crore, of which 23 projects are complete.
A total of 65 projects for an amount of INR 937.56 crore have been sanctioned under the Assistance to Central Agencies Scheme, out of which 38 projects have been physically completed.
India’s hospitality sector anticipates exceeding pre-Covid foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, aiming for a USD 1 trillion economic contribution by 2047. Industry leaders cite booming domestic travel, increased occupancies, and a shift towards travel as a non-discretionary spend. However, they urge government support through policy interventions like unified licensing and infrastructure investment to achieve this ambitious goal.
Several initiatives were also launched this year to strengthen India’s position as a leading global tourist destination. The ‘Chalo India’ campaign was introduced to invite the Indian diaspora to promote the country to their non-Indian friends worldwide, complemented by offering one lakh free e-visas for foreign tourists. The ‘Incredible India Content Hub’ was unveiled to provide a unified source of content for the global travel industry.Further, the ‘Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi’ initiative was unveiled in 2024, which empowers locals in key tourist destinations, transforming them into ambassadors to enhance tourist experiences while fostering community engagement and employment. The ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice 2024’ nationwide poll was launched to identify India’s most preferred tourist attractions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism also enabled the MoUs between 21 institutes of hotel management and eight leading hospitality groups to globalise Indian hospitality education, boosting employability in the sector.
