India is witnessing a strong surge in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs), fueled by the post-pandemic revival of global travel and growing confidence in the country’s rich cultural diversity and heritage. Enhanced air connectivity has significantly improved access to popular tourist destinations, while sustained efforts in developing world-class tourism infrastructure have boosted the overall visitor experience. The Ministry of Tourism has played a pivotal role in this growth through targeted initiatives and campaigns that showcase India’s unique attractions to the world. Key programs such as ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provide substantial financial aid to states and central agencies to develop tourism infrastructure effectively. Campaigns like ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, International Tourism Mart, and Bharat Parv have elevated the promotion of Indian tourism products both domestically and internationally. India is also expanding its tourism horizons by promoting niche sectors including wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural tourism, and eco-tourism. Enhancing service quality and visitor satisfaction is a priority, with initiatives such as ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’, ‘Incredible India Tourist Facilitator’ (IITF), ‘Paryatan Mitra’, and ‘Paryatan Didi’ focusing on skill development and capacity-building for tourism stakeholders. Additionally, the widely accessible e-Visa scheme, now available to citizens of 171 countries across nine categories—including tourist, business, medical, conference, and student visas—has made travel to India simpler and more convenient. These comprehensive measures underscore India’s commitment to positioning itself as a top global travel destination, promising a vibrant and enriched experience for travelers worldwide.
