In 2023, 9.52 million foreign visitors visited India, marking a significant increase in foreign travel. The Bureau of Immigration reports that’s a 47.9% rise over 2022. According to the data, India’s tourist sector has recovered 87.1% of its pre-COVID-19 level, nearly returning to its pre-pandemic levels. At 65.4%, the Asia-Pacific area is trailing behind the global recovery rate of 88.8%.
With 4.40 million tourists visiting India for vacations and leisure, leisure travel has significantly recovered, up about 87% from 2022. With 0.98 million arrivals, business travel also increased, up nearly 50% from the year before. Better air connections, enhanced tourism infrastructure, and advertising efforts showcasing India’s diverse and rich culture are all responsible for this increase.
Boosting the industry has been a top priority for the Ministry of Tourism. While initiatives like Dekho Apna Desh and Chalo India have assisted in promoting India internationally, programs like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD give states money for tourism projects. Attracting tourists has also been greatly aided by the Incredible India brand.
In order to provide something for everyone, India is currently concentrating on specialty tourism sectors including eco-tourism, gastronomy, wellness, and rural experiences. The government has started training initiatives like Paryatan Mitra and Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) to enhance the traveler experience. Additionally, 53 new tourist destinations are now accessible due to improved air connections made possible by the RCS-UDAN project.
To make it easier for international travelers, India has expanded its e-Visa program to 167 countries, covering categories like tourism, business, medical visits, and even the new e-Ayush Visa for wellness tourism. All these efforts are helping India become a top travel destination and keeping the tourism sector on a steady growth path.
