Foreign tourist arrivals in India touch 99.5 lakh in 2024; down 2.4% in 2025

Ziraat Times News Desk

New Delhi, Mar 17: India has witnessed a steady rise in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) over the past five years, accompanied by an increase in the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP, according to data shared by the Ministry of Tourism.

As per the Bureau of Immigration, FTAs rose from 27.44 lakh in 2020 to 99.51 lakh in 2024, reflecting a strong rebound after pandemic-related declines. The Ministry also highlighted that tourism GDP, including direct and indirect contributions, has grown from Rs 29,61,702 lakh in 2020-21 (1.5% of GDP) to Rs 1,57,37,298 lakh in 2023-24 (5.2% of GDP).

The five states reporting the highest number of foreign tourist visits in 2024 were Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, the Ministry noted. While national-level FTA data is collected by the Bureau of Immigration, regional or state-level breakdowns are compiled separately by the Ministry through state-provided data.

The Ministry of Tourism actively engages with international organizations such as UNWTO, ASEAN, G20, BRICS, and PATA to strengthen global tourism ties and policy cooperation. Currently, 46 valid Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) exist for bilateral and multilateral collaboration in tourism.

To promote India’s diverse destinations, including lesser-known regions, the Ministry undertakes initiatives like international travel fairs, roadshows, social media campaigns, and assistance to states in organizing fairs and festivals. Participation in events such as World Travel Mart (WTM) London, FITUR Madrid, and ITB Berlin helps showcase India’s tourism offerings—including wellness and adventure segments—while reinforcing the “Incredible India” brand and facilitating B2B engagements with foreign tour operators.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Annexure: Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Tourism GDP