tourism in india in 2022

India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021.

There were 10.93 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during pre-pandemic year 2019. Tourism Industry has shown good signs of revival after Covid-19 pandemic. According to latest information received from Bureau of Immigration, India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021.

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its Schemes of Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and Assistance to Central Agencies, provides central financial assistance to State Governments/ Union Territories/Central Agencies for development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities in the country to provide an enriching tourism experience to visitors in a planned and phased manner.

The Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi & English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to Travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.

The details of Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism in India during 2021 and 2022 (in Rs. Crore) are given below:

*: Provisional estimates

The Ministry of Tourism has taken several initiatives to give boost to the tourism sector in the country and to increase foreign tourist arrivals, details of which are:

i.          Launched Dekho Apna Desh initiative with the objective of creating awareness among the citizens about the rich heritage and culture of the country and encourage citizens to travel within the country.

ii.         Conducting Programmes under the ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’ (CBSP) Scheme to train and up-grade manpower to provide better service standards.

iii.        Launched Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme, a digital initiative that aims at creating an online  learning platform with the objective of creating a pool of well trained professional tourist facilitators across the country to support tourists.

iv.        24x7 toll free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline.

v.         Providing facility of e-Visa for 5 sub-categories i.e. e-Tourist visa, e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant visa and e-Conference visa for nationals of 166 countries.

vi.        E-Visa has been further liberalized and the visa fee has been substantially reduced.

vii.       New mountain peaks have been opened for Mountaineering/Trekking to give boost to adventure tourism in the country.

viii.      Lowering of GST on hotels rooms with tariffs of ₹ 1,001  to ₹ 7,500/night to 12%; those above ₹ 7,501 to 18% to increase India’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

ix.        On the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism, 59 tourism routes have been awarded to the identified airlines by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the RCS UDAN Scheme, for which Ministry of Tourism extends financial support in form of VGF (Viability Gap Funding). 51 of these routes have been operationalized till date.

x.         In order to boost visitor arrival, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has declared “Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023”.

G20 meetings are being held at 55 destinations throughout the country. The infrastructure at these cities are being augmented and upgraded for the G20 meetings.

Tourism offerings are being highlighted in run up to these meetings. Excursion of Delegates is also organised to nearby tourist attractions. Effort is being made to make G20 Delegates visiting these destinations are going back to their countries as tourism ambassadors. Important tourism sites and facilities are being upgraded to international standards.

This reply was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region Shri G Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha yesterday.

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India’s Travel & Tourism Could Surpass Pre-pandemic Levels by the End of 2022

Travel & Tourism’s GDP expected to outpace India’s economy over the next 10 years

More than 2.4 million jobs could be created every year

London, UK: Research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council ( WTTC ) has revealed the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to the Indian economy could surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, with a year-on-year growth of 20.7%.

The forecast from the WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR), shows the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy could reach almost ₹15.9 trillion (U.S. $215 billion) in 2022, 1% above 2019 levels.

Employment levels are set to grow to almost 35 million Travel & Tourism jobs, with an 8.3% growth this year.

Over the next decade, India’s Travel & Tourism’s GDP is expected to grow at an average of 7.8% annually, compared to 6.7% of the India’s overall economy, to reach almost ₹33.8 trillion (U.S. $457 billion) – representing 7.2% of the total economy.

The forecast also reveals the sector is expected to create over 24 million jobs over the next decade, averaging more than 2.4 million new jobs every year.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “After the pain suffered by India’s Travel & Tourism sector, the future looks bright with Travel & Tourism to and from India set to exceed 2019 levels.

“The outlook for the next decade is looking very positive with India accounting for one in five of all new Travel & Tourism jobs globally.”

Before the pandemic, India’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP was 7% (₹15.7 trillion, U.S. $212 billion) in 2019, falling to just 4.3% (₹9.2 trillion, U.S. $124 billion) in 2020, which represented a shocking 41.7% loss.

The sector also supported more than 40 million jobs in 2019, falling to just over 29 million in 2020, when the pandemic devastated the sector.

Following the significant decline in 2020, the global tourism body’s latest EIR report reveals that 2021 saw the beginning of the recovery for the country’s Travel & Tourism sector.

Last year, its contribution to GDP climbed 43.6% year on year, to reach ₹13.2 trillion (U.S $178 billion).

While the sector also saw a recovery of just under three million Travel & Tourism jobs, representing a positive rise of 10.2% to more than 32 million, this is still eight million fewer jobs than in 2019.

The sector’s contribution to the economy and employment could have been higher if it were not for the impact of the Omicron variant, which led to the recovery faltering around the world, with many countries reinstating severe travel restrictions.

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China’s Travel & Tourism Sector Set to Recover by More Than 60% This Year, Reveals WTTC

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India received 6.19 mn foreign tourists in 2022, up from 1.52 mn in 2021, says tourism minister

The tourism ministry has set up a toll-free 24x7 multi-lingual tourist info-helpline in 12 languages including 10 international languages--german, french, spanish, italian, portuguese, russian, chinese, japanese, korean, arabic--hindi & english for domestic and foreign tourists.

New Delhi: India received 6.19 million foreign tourists in 2022 compared with 1.52 million in 2021, tourism minister G Kishan Reddy said.

“There were 10.93 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during the pre-pandemic year of 2019," Reddy said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

Reddy said that the ministry under its schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive , or PRASAD, provides financial assistance to state governments and union territories for the development of tourism-related infrastructure to enrich tourism experience for the visitors.

“The Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 multi-lingual tourist info-helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in 12 languages including 10 international languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi & English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India," Reddy said.

He also informed the House that while in 2021, the foreign exchange earning was ₹ 65,070 crore, in 2022, the earning was ₹ 1,34,543 crore.

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India Needs a New Tourism Policy — Now

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

March 14th, 2022 at 12:30 AM EDT

While India has set an ambitious, so-called Vision@2047 goal for tourism some two decades into the future, what’s really needed urgently right now is a long-overdue national tourism policy.

Peden Doma Bhutia

India is scheduled to finally resume international flights starting on March 27 after a two-year pandemic ban that contributed a devastating impact to the country’s tourism sector. Foreign tourist arrivals last year plummeted to 1.4 million, compared to nearly 11 million in 2019.

Since the pandemic began, the country reported 43 million infections so far, and around 516,000 coronavirus-related deaths. The good news is that India has administered around 1.8 billion vaccine doses and the recovery rate is now at 99 percent.

Yet as the world’s second most populated country anxiously prepares for a new beginning in two weeks, India is still relying on a national tourism policy that is two decades old. Given how much travel has grown globally since 2002, it seems surprising that India has not been able to finalize a plan in all that time.

Armed with a vision, a mission and a goal, the Ministry of Tourism in India has yet again released a draft national tourism policy in November 2021, following an earlier draft in 2015.

However, six years, four tourism ministers and five tourism secretaries later, the current tourism policy is still the one that dates back to 2002. 

Why is that significant? A national tourism policy would help lay down a framework to make India more competitive in the international market, at a time when the world is now reopening to tourists.

To put things into context, in 2002, India’s foreign tourist arrivals stood at just 2.4 million, and in 2015, when the draft national tourism policy was released, India received 8 million foreign tourists. Pre-Covid, in 2019, India’s international tourist and non-resident Indian arrivals stood at 18 million.

No More Draft Policies, Please

At a time when tourism businesses in India have just started coming out of the worst business and social scenario in terms of the pandemic, guidance is needed more than ever. “A tourism policy is always good and helps create a statement of intent for the government,” said Ashish Gupta, consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations of Indian Tourism and Hospitality. “And at a time when businesses have been greatly affected by the pandemic, it is even more critical that the policy helps formulate a movement towards ‘what’s next?’”

While the “what’s next” is crucial, the tourism policy can also help pave the way for “how next”. And for a sector that contributes 9.2 per cent to the country’s total Gross Domestic Product and 8.1 per cent of the total employment (as per 2019 statistics), the ‘how next’ would be equally significant.

“The document is ready, we have seen it, the policy was discussed in detail and some good ideas came up during the discussion that we had with the ministry,” said Jyoti Mayal, president of the Travel Agents Association of India, who has been an integral part of the team discussing the policy with the ministry. “But I can’t really comment on behalf of the ministry why it’s taking them so long to bring it out.”

Mayal made a pertinent point here as she said that for a sector as important as tourism, the office of the Secretary of Tourism should have a tenure of at least five years, instead of the one or two years that the secretaries usually serve in office. “This would ensure that everybody is on the same page while working to build the industry and policies such as these see the light of day,” she stated.

Mayal further uderscored that point with an example and said that if for some reason the current secretary’s tenure comes to an end, the policy would again be left in limbo. “With a change in office, the vision changes and then everything along with it changes. Continuity is very important here. We have had enough of policies, we should now look at implementing these policies,” she explained.

The Government’s Take

The Ministry of Tourism acknowledges that since 2002 when the last policy was framed, there have been many changes in the tourism sector and related aspects. “The Ministry of Tourism takes a bigger onus and role in the new policy to facilitate the development of the tourism sector,” said Rakesh Verma, additional secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India. “With five national missions on green tourism, digital tourism, hospitality sector skills, tourism micro, small and medium enterprises and destination management, the new draft policy aims at catapulting the tourism sector on a high trajectory of growth post pandemic.” Verma further mentioned that the ministry aims to make India a $1 trillion tourism economy by 2047 with 100 million international traveler arrivals, outlined in a so-called Vision@2047 plan.

“The draft policy is at a very advanced stage with multiple rounds of consultation with stakeholders already completed. The ministry will be pursuing for approval of the policy expeditiously. We should be able to launch the new policy in a matter of a few months,” Verma said, when asked for a timeline.

The Great Indian Reopening

Sounding a note of caution, an industry veteran said that tourism and aviation are two sides of the same coin, hence the tourism policy would need to be backed by the aviation industry. “Without airlines, how will tourists come?” said Subhash Goyal, member of the National Advisory Council, which sits under the government’s Ministry of Tourism. 

Hailing the Indian government’s recent announcement of resumption of scheduled international flights from March 27, after a two-year gap, Goyal — who is also the former president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators — called it the “much-needed light at the end of the tunnel” and dubbed the move a crucial step towards restoring normalcy: “Now would be the right time for India to come out with its tourism policy.”

The government is certainly mindful of the way in which Covid-19 has changed the tourism sector. As the draft policy mentions, “Tourism has been the most affected sector by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has highlighted the vulnerabilities of tourism sector and our capacity to respond to such crisis. Post Covid-19, it is highly unlikely that tourism will return to business as usual.” And while tourism stakeholders in India look for an opportunity to reimagine the future of tourism, it would be nice to have a document that helps them chart a path towards recovery.

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Going places in 2022: the new face of tourism in india.

Pallavi Agarwal

Pallavi Agarwal, Founder & CEO, goSTOPS

The concept of travel has changed drastically over the last two years. Travel is no more a luxury limited to a few. The pandemic has made everyone pine for travelling. With international borders not opening up completely, and parts of the world still battling with the virus, India seems to have opened up possibilities for travellers across genres.

The new breed of travellers, led by millennials and GenZ, are redefining the way one travels. Staycations and workations are a couple of buzzwords that made an appearance over the past two years of the pandemic. Off-beat locations are ‘bae’ for the Gen Z and travelling in groups – community living and shared economy are some of the guiding principles of these travellers. Young travellers today are keen to safely explore their world and are looking for access to high quality infrastructure and a fun inclusive community set up without burning a hole in their pockets. With safety and sanitization being the important factors, youth are now mindful about how they are travelling.   

The tourism and hospitality industry too had to pivot to cater to this new breed of travellers who are seeking a different experience than travellers from the pre-pandemic era. The industry is sp eaking to a group of younger, well informed audiences who are stronger, responsible and hence well-equipped to travel in uncertain times.

As we step into another year full of travel experiences and places to explore what are some of the trends that come to the fore given the multitude of challenges that both the traveller and the industry has faced.

Workations continue to rule the roost

Many companies began restructuring their work policies to motivate and retain their employees, through a pandemic. ‘Work from office’  that evolved into ‘work from anywhere’ as a temporary solution at the start of the pandemic – is now morphing either as a hybrid work model or a permanent work solution. Both these options throw open possibilities to work from destinations in addition to the home destination, either for longer durations or short. The workation therefore seems to be here to stay – allowing the employee in the new normal to work from anywhere their gadgets allow them to!

The ardent traveller can ‘work from home’ from hostel rooms,  homestays at hill stations or beaches. Despite a difficult year with the pandemic, we saw a resounding spike in 2021 for bookings to offbeat locales as the year ended . The New Year, too which has come with its new set of challenges, has encouraged travellers to choose destinations that offer separate co-working space, high-quality internet to make sure work continues uninterrupted albeit in more picturesque locations! 

Fostering a travellers’ community

Isolation because of multiple lockdowns have left the youth (and all else) starving for human interaction and a feeling of community. As a few restrictions began to ease, friends and family came together to try out new adventures. Travellers began to explore places that were not featured in ‘must visit’ pages, locations that were remote and not frequented by ‘tourists’. These far-off travel destinations have now evolved as destinations to meet like-minded people, more so in hostels which offer both a sense of community and an opportunity to venture into virgin travel destinations.

This led to yet another interesting pivot in the hospitality industry. Hostel owners and homestays, understanding the pulse of such travellers, began to offer accommodation with a sense of community and belonging included in it. These included well-designed community areas, common kitchens, work stations, libraries, gyms, cafes etc which are designed like 4 star hotels but easier on the travellers pockets.

As the pandemic progresses this year,  with fewer restrictions, sporadic lockdowns and safer ways to travel in place, the urge to travel will grow. 

Solo travel gaining ground

During the lockdown phase several people craved company. But there is yet another stream of lockdown-afflicted travelers who prefer their own company – to rejuvenate themselves, to discover themselves or well – to be alone. 

There has been a significant number of women who are now turning towards solo travelling. Women are seeking new and authentic experiences, venturing outside their comfort zones and willing to experiment with destinations, experiences, and activities.  

Solo travel for women in India has gained that added momentum making destinations and properties invest in the women-centric tours, and we see hostels are geared towards creating safe spaces for women to live amid a community setting. As more hostels and homestays offer special arrangements for solo women travellers, this trend is primed for further growth in the year ahead. 

Get more value from travel

The concept of a shared economy is creating a large impact on our lives and has brought about significant changes in the way we work and live. The travel and hospitality industry has understood the benefit to customers that the shared economy brings. This has made the  industry create shared experiences and facilities that it feels easy on the pocket. Community-living in high-class facilities, on a much lower budget will make a mark this year. With travelers being able to stretch their stay for longer and explore more – almost live like a local – shared economy will only make travel more enriching in 2022. 

While the trends are encouraging for travellers, and give an optimistic view for the industry in India, they have cascading benefits for the tourism and hospitality ecosystem. States across India are promoting their offbeat locations and these are offering new experiences to ardent travellers. GenZ and millennial travel to these unexplored locations and create opportunities for growth for local communities’ in such places.

Despite a difficult year last year the hospitality and tourism industry has accounted for about 7.5% of the country’s GDP in 2021 . This owing to the pandemic that has challenged the industry to keep the customer central, adapting to the needs of a quickly evolving traveller rather swiftly. The travel industry is raring to go to places it hasn’t ventured before, reinventing and adapting to the changes at an uncertain time.

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India ranks 6th according to wttc in terms of travel & tourism total contribution to gdp in 2022  .

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Quick links, unlock the marvels of incredible india, powerhouse of tourism and hospitality.

Tourism and Hospitality, as one of India's largest service industries, plays an extraordinary role in driving the nation's growth and prosperity. 

The Tourism and Hospitality sector is an integral part of the Make in India initiative, serving as a vital economic catalyst that fuels job creation and rapid development. 

It acts as a stimulant for the growth of multi-use infrastructure, including world-class hotels, resorts, exquisite restaurants, efficient transportation networks (aviation, roads, shipping, and railways), and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities. 

India proudly boasts a tapestry of geographical diversity, encompassing awe-inspiring world heritage sites and niche tourism offerings such as captivating cruise tourism, exhilarating adventure tourism, renowned medical tourism, and mesmerizing eco-tourism. These unique offerings have resulted in an exponential increase in tourist arrivals, opening up vast employment opportunities. 

The recently announced 2023 Union Budget has firmly placed tourism as a key sector in the spotlight. The Ministry of Tourism, in its mission mode, is dedicated to promoting the industry through active participation from all States, the convergence of Government Programs, and the establishment of impactful Public-Private Partnerships. This visionary approach will facilitate comprehensive development in at least 50 selected destinations through a challenge mode process. 

Recognizing the importance of diversity and gender empowerment, the tourism industry stands as a leading employer of women. The government proactively collaborates with industry stakeholders to create a conducive work environment that fosters equal opportunities and celebrates the contributions of female employees. 

The Ministry of Tourism has also designated the Year 2023 as the 'Visit India' year, an invitation to the world to witness the splendor and magnificence that our nation has to offer. 

Embracing a progressive outlook, India welcomes 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the tourism industry under the automatic route.  

Additionally, 100% FDI is permitted for tourism construction projects, including the development of exquisite hotels, resorts, and unparalleled recreational facilities. 

For comprehensive details, please refer to the FDI Policy, which highlights the investment opportunities and guidelines in the tourism sector. 

India's tourism industry stands as a beacon of boundless possibilities, with its rich heritage, cultural tapestry, and captivating destinations. We invite you to embark on an extraordinary journey of investment and partnership, where your vision aligns with the immense potential India holds

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (Jan-Dec 2023)

Domestic Tourist Visits to all States/UTs (2022)

Annual Growth Rate of FTAs in India (2022)

Foreign exchange earnings (FEE) from tourism (Jan-Dec 2023)

Share of India in International Tourism Receipts (ITRs) in World

6th in terms of Travel & Tourism total contribution to GDP, WTTC (2021)

2nd in terms of Travel & Tourism Employment, WTTC (2021)

54 th  on the World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Development Index (2022)

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Government of India envisions $56 Bn forex, creating around 140 Mn jobs in tourism by 2030 through inclusive growth and  particularly focusing on cruise tourism, ecotourism and adventure tourism.   

The Indian Tourism sector ranks among the fastest-growing economic sectors in the country. The industry significantly impacts employment and drives regional development, while also creating a multiplier effect on the performance of related industries.

By 2028, India's tourism and hospitality industry is projected to generate revenue of over $59 Bn. Additionally, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) are anticipated to reach 30.5 Mn by 2028.

In light of India's G20 Presidency and the India@75 Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the Ministry of Tourism has designated 2023 as the 'Visit India Year' to promote inbound travel.

The Honorable Prime Minister has envisioned a mission mode approach to develop tourism during Amrit Kaal, with a strategic roadmap for the next 25 years. The objective is to position India as the foremost travel destination globally by the time we celebrate India@100 in 2047, creating unparalleled appeal for visitors from around the world. 

Ministry of Tourism is planning to organize a Global Tourism Investors Summit along with Central Ministries and State/UT Governments to showcase opportunities for investment and trade. The event will allow global investors to explore Indian Tourism products and services.

Union Budget 2023 Highlights:

• 50 tourist destinations will be selected through challenge mode to be developed as a whole package for domestic and international tourism
• Sector-specific skilling and entrepreneurship development to be dovetailed to achieve the objectives of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative
• Tourism infrastructure and amenities to be facilitated in border villages through the Vibrant Villages Programme
• Unity Malls to be set up in State Capitals or prominent tourist centres

GROWTH DRIVERS

Infrastructure development.

More than half of the Ministry of Tourism’s budget is channelised for funding the development of destinations, circuits, mega projects as well as rural tourism infrastructure projects.

Hotels & Accommodation

Revenue is projected at $7.66 Bn in 2023. CAGR of 8.29% between 2023-27. 61.3 Mn potential customers by 2027

Adventure Tourism

India has 70% of the Himalayas, a 7,000+ Km of coastline, ranks 10th in total area under forest cover, and is one of the three countries in the world with both hot and cold deserts.

Medical tourism

Medical tourism and wellness retreats attract 21% of international travelers, leveraging world-class healthcare facilities and traditional healing practices.

Cruise Tourism

Cruise passenger traffic expected to increase from 0.4 Mn to 4 Mn by 2032. Increase in economic potential from $110 Mn to $5.5 Bn.

Eco-Tourism

Expected to grow at 15.7% between 2019-27 & reach $4.55 Bn. India offers unique destinations, exploration of wildlife, and pristine undisturbed natural areas.

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions

The Indian MICE market has less than 1% share currently, but with initiatives such as ‘Meet in India’, National Advisory Council for Mice, India Mice Board, MICE Tourism is projected to double in next 5 years.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

The tourism sector has 1,300+ DPIIT recognized startups.

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Gis - based map displaying available infrastructure for setting up business operations in the state., investment opportunities in tourism & hospitality.

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The Ministry of Tourism is set to host the First Global Tourism Investors Summit in 2023 in collaboration with Central Ministries and State/UT Governments. 

This mega event aims to highlight investment and trade opportunities while providing a platform for international investors to discover India's diverse tourism products and services.  

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Recognising the potential of rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has identified Rural Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and is aimed at leveraging tourism as a force multiple for revitalizing the rural economy and for giving both domestic and international tourists a glimpse of rural aspect of the country.

Further, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a Draft 'National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India - An initiative towards Atmanirbhar Bharat', which, inter alia, focuses on generating income and jobs in rural areas and empower local communities, youth and women, fulfilling the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The GOI has identified 78 lighthouses in the country as centres of tourism, which are in the first phase under Public Private Partnership (PPP). The identified lighthouses are in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The GOI has kick started the ‘lighthouse tourism’ project by inviting initial qualification bids to develop eight lighthouses in the first phase, at a cost of INR 128 crore, under the public-private-partnership model for 7 lighthouses.

The goal of the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme is to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country. The scheme is aimed at 360-degree holistic development with a focus on increasing self-employment, youth skilling, private sector investments, and preserving local cultures.

The strategic objectives of the Scheme are: (i) To enhance the contribution of tourism to the local economies (ii) To create jobs including self-employment for local communities (iii) To enhance the skills of local youth in tourism and hospitality (iv) To increase private sector investment in tourism and hospitality (v) To preserve and enhance the local cultural and natural resources  

Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience. It aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritised, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience. As on date, total number of destinations/sites identified for development under the scheme at present are 68 in 30 states/UTs.

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Annual report 2022-23 | ministry of tourism, india tourism statistics at a glance 2022, union budget 2023-24: analysis report, economic survey 2022-23, global innovation index 2022, government ministry/department.

• Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management
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Gulfood dubai 2023, tourism and hospitality, tourism & hospitality industry in india, the tourism sector is projected to contribute us$ 250 billion to the country’s gdp by 2030, generating employment for 137 million individuals., advantage india, robust demand.

* The Medical Tourism sector is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 21.1% from 2020-27.

* The travel market in India is projected to reach US$ 125 billion by FY27 from an estimated US$ 75 billion in FY20.

* International tourist arrivals are expected to reach 30.5 million by 2028.

* According to WTTC, over the next decade, India’s Travel & Tourism’s GDP is expected to grow at an average of 7.8% annually.

Attractive Opportunities

* India is geographically diverse and offers a variety of cultures that come with its own experiences, making it one of the leading countries in terms of international tourism expenditure.

* Travel and tourism are two of the largest industries in India, with a total contribution of about US$ 178 billion to the country’s GDP.

* The country’s big coastline is dotted with attractive beaches.

Policy support

* US$ 2.1 billion is allocated to Ministry of Tourism in budget 2023-24 as the sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth. Rs. 2,400 crore (US$ 289.89 million) allocated to the Ministry of Tourism as the sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth.

* Under the Union Budget 2023-24, an outlay of US$ 170.85 million has been allocated for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

* 68 destinations/sites have been identified in 30 States/UTs for development under the PRASHAD Scheme as on March 31, 2022.

Diverse Attractions

* According to WTTC, the contribution of India's travel and tourism sector to India's economy was worth Rs. 15.9 trillion (US$ 191.25 billion) in 2022.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Report

Introduction.

With a total area of 3,287,263 sq. km extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south, India has a rich cultural and historical heritage, variety in ecology, terrains and places of natural beauty spread across the country. This provides a significant opportunity to fully exploit the potential of the tourism sector.

India being one the most popular travel destinations across the globe has resulted in the Indian tourism and hospitality industry emerging as one of the key drivers of growth among the services sector in India. The tourism industry in India has significant potential considering that Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange in India similar to many other countries.

It is widely acknowledged that the tourist and hospitality sector, which encompasses travel and hospitality services like hotels and restaurants, is a development agent, a catalyst for socioeconomic growth, and a significant source of foreign exchange gains in many countries. India's rich and exquisite history, culture, and diversity are showcased through tourism while also providing significant economic benefits. The consistent efforts of the central and state governments have helped the tourism industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic shock and operate at the pre-pandemic level.

Market Size

According to WTTC, India is ranked 10th among 185 countries in terms of travel & tourism’s total contribution to GDP in 2019. According to WTTC, the contribution of India's travel and tourism sector to India's economy was worth Rs. 15.9 trillion (US$ 191.25 billion) in 2022.

According to WTTC, over the next decade, India’s Travel & Tourism GDP is expected to grow at an average of 7.8% annually. In 2020, the Indian tourism sector accounted for 39 million jobs, which was 8% of the total employment in the country.

In 2021, the travel & tourism industry’s contribution to the GDP was US$ 178 billion; this is expected to reach US$ 512 billion by 2028. By 2029, it is expected to account for about 53 million jobs. In India, the industry’s direct contribution to the GDP is expected to record an annual growth rate of 7-9% between 2019 and 2030.

The travel market in India is projected to reach US$ 125 billion by FY27 from an estimated US$ 75 billion in FY20. The Indian airline travel market was estimated at ~US$ 20 billion and is projected to double in size by FY27 due to improving airport infrastructure and growing access to passports. The Indian hotel market including domestic, inbound and outbound was estimated at ~US$ 32 billion in FY20 and is expected to reach ~US$ 52 billion by FY27, driven by the surging demand from travellers and sustained efforts of travel agents to boost the market.

By 2028, international tourist arrivals are expected to reach 30.5 billion and generate revenue of over US$ 59 billion. However, domestic tourists are expected to drive the growth, post-pandemic. International hotel chains are increasing their presence in the country, and they will account for around 47% share of the tourism and hospitality sector of India by 2020 and 50% by 2022.

As per the Ministry of Tourism, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in October 2023 were 8,11,411. FTAs during the period January-October 2023 were 72,43,680 as compared to 46,55,160 in January-October 2022.

The percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India during October 2023 among the top 5 ports was highest at Delhi Airport (34.74%) followed by Mumbai Airport (14.75%), Haridaspur Land Check Post (9.03%), Chennai Airport (7.05%), Bengaluru Airport (5.71%). FTAs during the period January-September 2023 were 6.43 million.

The percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India during October 2023 among the top 5 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (21.41%), followed by USA (15.65%), UK (11.27%), Australia (4.38%) and Canada (3.81%).

In 2023-24* (January-October), 24.97% of foreign tourists visited for Indian Diaspora which marks 72,43,680 foreigners.

FEE during the period January-October 2023 were US$ 22.32 billion.

Domestic visitor spending increased by 20.4% in 2022, only 14.1% below 2019. International visitor spending rose by 81.9% in 2022, but still 40.4% behind 2019 numbers.

Cumulative FDI equity inflow in the Hotel and Tourism industry is US$ 17.29 billion during the period April 2000-September 2023. This constitutes 2.60% of the total FDI inflow received across sectors.

Investments/Developments

• In December 2023, IHCL expanded its presence in Maharashtra as it signed a hotel in Bandra, Mumbai. The Brownfield project will be branded an IHCL- SeleQtions hotel.
• In December 2023, TAJ won the ‘World’s finest luxury grand palaces’ award at the ‘101 Best Executive Summit’ in Germany.
• In November 2023, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced the opening of Ginger Mumbai, Airport. The 371 Keys flagship Ginger hotel, strategically located near the domestic airport will introduce the brand’s lean luxe design and service philosophy of offering a vibrant, contemporary, and seamless hospitality experience to its guests.
• In September 2023, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts (MHRIL) signed an MOU with the Government of Uttarakhand (UK) to invest Rs. 1,000 crore (US$ 120.16 million) and build 4-5 large marquee resorts over the next few years in Uttarakhand.
• An investment of Rs. 2,400 crore (US$ 289.89 million) was allocated to the Ministry of Tourism as the sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth.
• An investment-linked deduction under Section 35 AD of the Income Tax Act is in place for establishing new hotels under the 2-star category and above across India, thus permitting a 100% deduction in respect of the whole or any expenditure of capital nature.
• In 2019, the Government reduced GST on hotel rooms with tariffs of Rs. 1,001 (US$ 14.32) to Rs. 7,500 (US$ 107.31) per night to 12% and those above Rs. 7,501 (US$ 107.32) to 18% to increase India’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
• In Union Budget 2023-24, US$ 290.64 million was allocated to the Ministry of Tourism as the sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth in particular and to take the promotion of tourism on mission mode, with the active participation of states, the convergence of government programmes and public-private partnerships.
• An app will be developed covering all relevant aspects of tourism. States will be encouraged to set up Unity Malls in State Capital as the most prominent tourism centres to promote One District One Product, GI products, handicrafts and products of other States.
• In 2021, Government of India announced 40,000 e-tourist visas out of 500,000 free regular visas to the tourist, to ensure a geographical spread of the incentive to important source markets globally.
• Government of India has set a target to create 220 new airports by 2025.
• The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) covered through a liberal definition of MSME (micro small and medium enterprises) has been expanded to include tourism and hospitality stakeholders. Infrastructure status has been granted to exhibition-cum-convention centres.
• A separate liquidity window of Rs. 15,000 crore (US$ 1.8 billion) has been released for the sector.
• A total of 48,775 accommodation units (both classified and unclassified) have been registered on the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI) portal and 11,220 units have self-certified for SAATHI standards in September 2022.
• In October 2022, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced the launch of its new Indian-concept restaurant brand, Loya. Debuting at Taj Palace, New Delhi, Loya captures the culinary essence traversing the landscape of North India.
• Hospitality unicorn OYO has acquired Europe-based vacation rental company Direct Booker for US$ 5.5 million in May 2022.
• Accor, a French hospitality major will expand its India's portfolio by adding nine additional hotels in the mid-scale and economy categories, bringing the total number of hotels 54 in India.
• The Medical Tourism sector is expected to increase at a CAGR of 21.1% from 2020-2027.
• India was globally the third largest in terms of investment in travel and tourism with an inflow of US$ 45.7 billion in 2018, accounting for 5.9% of the total investment in the country.
• Indian government has estimated that India would emerge with a market size of 1.2 million cruise visitors by 2030-31. Dream Hotel Group plans to invest around US$300 million in the next 3-5 years for the development of the cruise sector in India.
• India is the most digitally advanced traveller nation in terms of digital tools being used for planning, booking, and experiencing a journey. India’s rising middle class and increasing disposable income has supported the growth of domestic and outbound tourism.
• The United Nations World Tourism Organisation selected Pochampally in Telangana as one of the best tourism villages in November 2021.

Government Initiatives

The Indian Government has realised the country’s potential in the tourism industry and has taken several steps to make India a global tourism hub. Some of the major initiatives planned by the Government of India to boost the tourism and hospitality sector of India are as follows:

In the Union Budget 2023-24, US$ 290.4 million has been allocated to the Ministry of Tourism. Under the Union Budget 2023-24, an outlay of US$ 170.85 million has been allocated for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme to develop a complete package of 50 tourist destinations for providing a wholesome tourism experience by facilitating physical, digital and virtual connectivity, availability of tourist guides and tourist security.

Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 76 projects under the scheme since its inception under 13 themes for a revised sanctioned cost of US$ 668.95 million and has released US$ 534.9 million (till December 31, 2021).

Under Budget 2023-24, the Government has allocated US$ 30.25 million for the development of tourist circuits under PRASHAD. Since its launch in January 2015 and Ministry has sanctioned 37 projects in 24 states with estimated expenditure of US$ 146.4 million and a cumulative amount of US$ 91.6 million has been released for these projects. 68 destinations/sites have been identified in 30 States/UTs for development under the PRASHAD Scheme as on March 31, 2022.

Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the Quality Council of India (QCI), to assist the Hospitality Industry in their preparedness to continue operations safely and mitigate risks arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic through an initiative called SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness and Training for Hospitality Industry). A hotel/unit goes through the SAATHI framework and agrees to fully follow the requirements wherever applicable possible, and a self-certification is issued. Self-certified Hotel/units attend webinars to clarify doubts through live interactions. If Hotel/unit desires, they may undertake site-assessment based on SAATHI framework through QCI accredited agencies and an assessment report with opportunities for improvement is shared with the assessed unit.

Under this Loan Guarantee Scheme for Covid Affected Tourism Service Sector (LGSCATSS), loan upto US$ 12,110 will be extended to each Tour Operators/ Travel Agents/ Tourist Transport Operators approved/recognized by the Ministry of Tourism.

Guarantees for Skill Development Loans by the member banks of IBA up to Rs. 1.5 lakh (US$ 1,801) extended by lending institutions to eligible borrowers without collateral or third-party guarantee.

• Visa reforms include a significantly expanded Golden Visa scheme, a five-year Green residency and new entry permits, including one for job seekers. The new system also offers additional benefits to sponsor family members
• To ease travels for international tourists, the Government of India has launched a scheme wherein five lakh tourists will get free visas.
• In August 2022, Ministry of Tourism sanctioned 76 projects for Rs. 5,399.15 crore (US$ 678.39 million) under Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of tourism infrastructure in the country.
• In June 2022, the Ministry of Tourism along with Associations of Indian Universities (AIU) initiated a 12 episode webinar series under ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ (AKAM) to engage and expose young minds of our country to the rich and diverse heritage of the country.
• Till the end of September 2022, a total of 155 Dekho Apna Desh webinars have been organized by Ministry of Tourism.
• The Ministry of Tourism has launched the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Traveller Campaign in June 2022.
• From November 15, 2021, India allowed fully vaccinated foreign tourists to visit India, which in turn will help revive the Indian travel and hospitality sector.
• In November 2021, the Ministry of Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation to strengthen hospitality and tourism industry. The ministry has also signed a MoU with Easy My Trip, Cleartrip, Yatra.com, Make My Trip and Goibibo.
• In November 2021, the Indian government planned a conference to boost film tourism in the country with an aim to establish domestic spots as preferred filming destinations. This move is expected to create jobs and boost tourism in the country.
• In September 2021, the government launched NIDHI 2.0 (National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry) scheme which will maintain a database of hospitality sector components such as accommodation units, travel agents, tour operators, & others. NIDHI 2.0 will facilitate the digitalisation of the tourism sector by encouraging all hotels to register themselves on the platform.
• Government is planning to boost the tourism in India by leveraging on the lighthouses in the country. 71 lighthouses have been identified for development as tourist spots.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a new scheme called ‘All India Tourist Vehicles Authorisation and Permit Rules, 2021’, in which a tourist vehicle operator can register online for All India Tourist Authorisation/Permit. This permit will be issued within 30 days of submitting the application.
• The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) runs a series of Bharat Darshan tourist trains aimed at taking people to various pilgrimages across the country.
• During 2019-20, an additional fund Rs. 1,854.67 crore (US$ 269.22 million) was sanctioned for new projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
• Ministry of Tourism sanctioned 18 projects covering all the North Eastern States for Rs. 1,456 crore (US$ 211.35 million) to develop and promote of tourism in the region under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes.
• Statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as ‘State of Unity’, was inaugurated in October 2018 and the total revenue generated till November 2019 stood at Rs. 82.51 crore (US$ 11.81 million).

State Government Initiatives

• In Jammu and Kashmir, in April 2021, a mega tourism promotion event “Tapping the Potential of Kashmir: Another Day in Paradise” was organised in Srinagar. The event aimed to showcase the myriad tourism products of Jammu & Kashmir and promote tourism in the region as the destination for leisure, adventure, eco, wedding, films and MICE tourism steps have been taken by the government to provide better facilities to the old.
• The strategy of Uttarakhand Tourism is to identify key originating regions and tourist segments, which would then be the focus of marketing campaigns.
• Madhya Pradesh tourism board has opened the door for private investment within the state by providing all the aid and facilities to the investors.
• The AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) plans to establish 100 kiosks across the state in the first phase, providing employment opportunities to the youth.
• In October 2021, the Tripura government collaborated with Infovalley Educational & Research (P) Ltd. as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) to run the State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM). Through the SIHM, the government aims to empower the youth and contribute to the growth of hotels and hospitality management in the state.
• The Ministry of Tourism sanctioned three projects for a total amount of Rs. 179.68 crore (US$ 24.24 million) under the Swadesh Darshan scheme in Gujarat. The Ministry of Tourism has approved 16 projects for over Rs. 1,300 crore (US$ 171.2 million) in India's North East under the “Swadesh Darshan” Scheme.
• In July 2021, the Tamil Nadu state government decided to implement an integrated mega tourism plan, which included new lighting arrangements for the Thiruvalluvar statue at Kanyakumari, starting renovations at Poompuhar tourist spot and improving roads leading to tourist spots, spiritual places and adventure tourism spots. It also includes unveiling a new tourism policy, establishing more hotels, resorts, and convention centres and increasing contribution of public and private sectors in the tourism sector.
• In July 2021, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority urged stakeholders in the tourism sector in the state to register with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism under the Tourism Trade Registration and Facilitation Guidelines 2020.
• Jharkhand Tourism Policy Offers Attractive Incentives and Opportunities for Investors.
• Nagaland Launches Initiatives to Promote Off-Road Tourism

Staycation is seen as an emerging trend were people stay at luxurious hotels to revive themselves of stress in a peaceful getaway. To cater to such needs, major hotel chains such as Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Oberoi hotels are introducing staycation offers were guests can choose from a host of curated experiences, within the hotel. India’s travel and tourism industry has huge growth potential. The industry is also looking forward to the expansion of e-Visa scheme, which is expected to double the tourist inflow in India. India's travel and tourism industry has the potential to expand by 2.5% on the back of higher budgetary allocation and low-cost healthcare facility according to a joint study conducted by Assocham and Yes Bank.

It is irrefutable that the tourist industry is becoming a more significant economic force and has the potential to be used as a tool for development. The tourist industry not only drives growth, but it also raises people's standards of living with its ability to provide significant amount of diverse employment opportunities. It promotes environmental preservation, champions diverse cultural heritage, and bolsters international peace. By 2028, Indian tourism and hospitality is expected to earn US$ 50.9 billion as visitor exports compared with US$ 28.9 billion in 2018.

Note: *in US$ terms

Note: Conversion rate used in November 2023, Rs. 1 = US$ 0.012

References: Media Reports, Ministry of Tourism, Press Releases, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Press Information Bureau (PIB), Union Budget 2023-24, Economic Survey 2022-23

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States with Largest Domestic Tourist Arrivals in 2021

• Uttar Pradesh
• Andhra Pradesh
• Maharashtra

Industry Contacts

• Department of Tourism
• Palace on Wheels
• Hotel Association of India
• Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India

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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

• Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India 2000-2022

Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India from 2000 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

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Statistics on " International tourism in India "

• Direct contribution of tourism and hospitality to GDP in India 2012-2028
• Revenue share from tourism India 2013-2022, by visitor origin
• Change in foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India 2000-2022
• Share of FTAs to India 2022, by leading port of entry
• Number of foreign tourist visits in India 2022, by leading state
• Number of e-tourist visa arrivals India 2014-2022
• Non-resident Indian arrivals in India 2014-2022
• Occupancy rate in hotels in India FY 2001-2024
• Average daily rate of hotels in India FY 2016-2023
• Supply of hotel rooms in India FY 2022-2023, by city
• Number of classified star hotels India 2023, by category
• Duration of stay of international tourists in India 2021
• Business travelers in selected countries worldwide 2024
• People booking hotel or private accommodation in selected countries worldwide 2024
• Number of visitors to national monument India FY 2017-2022, by type
• Number of foreign visitors to ticketed monuments India FY 2023
• Share of international outbound passenger traffic India 2023, by region
• Domestic departures by Indian national airlines FY 2009-2022
• Passenger traffic from India FY 2023, by leading destination
• Number of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by country of origin
• Share of tourist arrivals Qatar 2022, by country
• Number of Indians departing to Maldives 2009-2022
• Leading city destinations in Germany 2018-2022

Other statistics that may interest you International tourism in India

Tourism economy

• Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in India 2013-2023
• Basic Statistic Direct contribution of tourism and hospitality to GDP in India 2012-2028
• Basic Statistic Revenue share from tourism India 2013-2022, by visitor origin
• Basic Statistic Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic Change in foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of foreign tourist arrivals in India 2000-2022
• Basic Statistic Share of FTAs to India 2022, by leading port of entry
• Basic Statistic Leading source countries of foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2022
• Premium Statistic Number of foreign tourist visits in India 2022, by leading state
• Basic Statistic Number of e-tourist visa arrivals India 2014-2022
• Basic Statistic Non-resident Indian arrivals in India 2014-2022

Hospitality market

• Basic Statistic Occupancy rate in hotels in India FY 2001-2024
• Basic Statistic Average daily rate of hotels in India FY 2016-2023
• Premium Statistic Supply of hotel rooms in India FY 2022-2023, by city
• Premium Statistic Number of classified star hotels India 2023, by category
• Premium Statistic Duration of stay of international tourists in India 2021

Leading destinations in India

• Premium Statistic Business travelers in selected countries worldwide 2024
• Premium Statistic People booking hotel or private accommodation in selected countries worldwide 2024
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to national monument India FY 2017-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of foreign visitors to ticketed monuments India FY 2023
• Basic Statistic Number of departures of Indian nationals 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic Share of international outbound passenger traffic India 2023, by region
• Premium Statistic Domestic departures by Indian national airlines FY 2009-2022

Popular destinations among Indians

• Premium Statistic Passenger traffic from India FY 2023, by leading destination
• Premium Statistic Number of visitor arrivals to Dubai 2022, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Share of tourist arrivals Qatar 2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Number of Indians departing to Maldives 2009-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading city destinations in Germany 2018-2022

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• Basic Statistic Impact of increased cost of holidaying due to taxes on travelling habits 2011
• Premium Statistic Average length of stay of international overnight tourists in China 2012, by origin
• Basic Statistic Impact of the social media on holiday choices 2011
• Basic Statistic UK Holidaymakers' reasons for not using mobiles on holiday 2011
• Basic Statistic Holidaymakers' interest in the BRICS countries
• Premium Statistic Arrivals of international overnight tourists China 2012, by nationality
• Basic Statistic 2012 Olympic Games: Impact on holiday choices in the UK
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• Basic Statistic Number of passport applications per fiscal year in the United States 1986-2020
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• Usage of mobile web access when booking holidays 2011
• Impact of increased cost of holidaying due to taxes on travelling habits 2011
• Average length of stay of international overnight tourists in China 2012, by origin
• Impact of the social media on holiday choices 2011
• UK Holidaymakers' reasons for not using mobiles on holiday 2011
• Holidaymakers' interest in the BRICS countries
• Arrivals of international overnight tourists China 2012, by nationality
• 2012 Olympic Games: Impact on holiday choices in the UK
• Number of arrivals of overnight international tourists China 2019, by region
• Number of visits to heritage sites and museums in China 2017-2021
• International tourists in the main rural areas Spain 2016
• Number of passport applications per fiscal year in the United States 1986-2020
• Number of visitors to the Mont Saint Michel Abbey in France 2013-2017
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This Is The Latest Travel Trend In India

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The MakeMyTrip 'India Travel Trends Report' dived into travel behaviours based on insights from its users

The report revealed indians are travelling more to destinations like ayodhya, ujjain and badrinath, searches for spiritual tourism witnessed a 97 per cent increase in 2023 compared to 2021, according to the report, tier-2 and tier-3 cities, in particular, are witnessing a surge in searches for destinations with religious significance, searches for ayodhya soared by a whopping 585 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022, as per the report.

X.com/@ShriRamTeerth

Similarly, Ujjain and Badrinath, saw search increases of 359% and 343%, respectively

Weekend getaways continue to be a favourite, with jim corbett national park witnessing a 131% rise , ooty and munnar are also popular choices, especially for those from the southern part of the country, dubai, bangkok, and singapore remain the top three most searched international travel destinations, london, toronto, and new york hold the fort for long-haul travel, check more stories.

Image: Reuters  

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

• Revenue share from tourism India 2013-2022, by visitor origin

Distribution of spending from tourism to GDP in India from 2013 to 2022, by visitor origin

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October 2023

2013 to 2022

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Business Insider

America still has the world's busiest airport

Posted: April 16, 2024 | Last updated: April 19, 2024

• New data on the world's busiest airports in 2023 reveals the latest trends in global travel. 
• 8.5 billion passengers traveled by plane last year, almost marking a return to pre-pandemic levels.   
• Airports in Asia and the Middle East became busier, but the US has once again clinched the top spot. 

International travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the just-released list of the world's busiest airports in 2023.

8.5 billion passengers traveled globally by plane last year — up from 7 billion passengers in 2022 .

The rise in air travel marks a recovery to 93.8% of levels in 2019 before the world shut down, according to preliminary data published by the Airports Council International (ACI), a trade association that includes 2,600 airports worldwide.

Increasing travel to airports in Asia and the Middle East was one of the key trends to emerge from the data, with Dubai International Airport jumping from the fifth to the second busiest airport in the world.

Airports in India, Japan, and Turkey also made it into the top 10 and were some of the biggest movers in terms of annual gains in passenger numbers.

As the world's largest domestic market for flights , US airports still make up five of the busiest airports in the world, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its No. 1 position.

Despite tough global economic conditions, there was "a growing inclination towards travel," Luis Felipe de Oliveira, the ACI's world director general, said in a press release.

"Airports continue to demonstrate their resilience and adaptability amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of global travel," said Oliveira.

Here's a closer look at the top 10 busiest airports in the world.

10. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India

Passengers: 72.2 million

2022 ranking: 9th

Delhi's main airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport, saw a 21.4% increase in year-on-year traffic. While it has dropped a place this year, Delhi has grown significantly as a transport hub since 2019, when it sat at number 19 in the rankings.

9. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, USA

Passengers: 73.9 million

2022 ranking: 4th

Travel through Chicago O'Hare jumped by 8.1% throughout 2023. O'Hare is a hub airport for domestic travel, particularly for United and American Airlines flights. It is also a focus city for low-cost rivals Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

8. Los Angeles International Airport, USA

Passengers: 75.1 million

2022 ranking: 6th

Travel through LAX was up 13.8% in 2023, however, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, passengers at the West Coast airport decreased by 14.8% — the largest decrease of any airport in the top ten rankings. LAX is a hub for a number of carriers, including Alaska Airlines, United, American, and Delta. But domestic travel at the airport shrunk dramatically as airlines cut the number of flights following a series of meltdowns in 2022.

7. Istanbul Airport, Turkey

Passengers: 76 million

2022 ranking: 7th

Passenger numbers at Turkey's Istanbul airport have increased by 18.3%, making it the only transit hub to keep level with its previous ranking in the top 10. Notably, traffic through the airport has jumped by 45.7% since 2019.

6. Denver International Airport, USA

Passengers: 77.8 million

2022 ranking: 3rd

Denver Airport has dropped down several places on the list but still shows strong signs of growth in terms of passengers. In the last year traffic through the Colorado airport was up 12.3%, and it has also grown 12.8% from pre-pandemic levels.

5. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan

Passengers: 78.7 million

2022 ranking: 16th

Japan's Tokyo Haneda Airport saw the largest increase in traffic by far, with passenger numbers surging by 55.1%. Some of that jump can be explained by a lag in tourism as Japan only reopened its borders in late 2022. Despite the jump, Tokyo Haneda is still 7.9% under its 2019 level of traffic. This January the airport made headlines after a fatal collision involving a Japan Airlines plane and a coastguard vehicle killed five people.

4. London Heathrow, UK

Passengers: 79.2 million

2022 ranking: 8th

Travel through the UK's largest airport shot up by 218% in 2022 and has once again made strong gains throughout 2023, jumping by a slightly more modest 28.5%. The airport has credited travel from the Asia-Pacific region as a major factor in its increased passenger numbers. It hopes to supersede its pre-pandemic level of traffic in 2024 and hit a record 81.4 million passengers, the airport said in a report published in December.

3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA

Passengers: 81.8 million

2022 ranking: 2nd

Dallas/Fort Worth airport , known as DFW, is American Airlines' busiest hub and the departure city for many of the airline's international flights. Last year traffic through the airport jumped by 11.4%.

2. Dubai International Airport, UAE

Passengers: 87 million

2022 ranking: 5th

Dubai took the number 2 ranking in the list for the first time, thanks to a significant 31.7% increase in passenger numbers. Dubai's new position reflects the heavy investment that has gone into the aviation industry and boosting tourism in the region.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA

Passengers: 104.7 million

2022 ranking: 1st

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport comes in at No. 1 as the busiest airport in the world, a position it has held for more than two decades. In 2023, the Atlanta airport saw an 11.7% increase in passenger numbers.

Here's a look at what it takes to be an air traffic controller at the world's busiest airport.

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