India’s International Tourism Spending Reaches Rs 3.1 Trillion in 2024
India’s tourism sector witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, with international visitor spending reaching an all-time high of Rs. 3.1 trillion—marking a nine per cent increase over the previous peak in 2019. This surge, according to the latest data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), reflects renewed global interest in India as a preferred travel destination.
The industry also supported a historic 46.5 million jobs, accounting for 9.1 per cent of total national employment. In terms of arrivals, India saw 20 million international tourists—2.3 million more than in 2019—underscoring strong global confidence in the country’s tourism appeal.
WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson praised the sector’s growth and welcomed the government’s efforts to simplify the e-visa process. However, she urged action to address visa delays for key markets such as the United States, where appointments are reportedly unavailable until 2026. She said “India’s Travel & Tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with international visitor numbers now at record highs after a period of strong domestic reliance. We strongly support the government’s plans to simplify the e-visa process. While visa-on-arrival and e-visa systems are in place, reciprocal policies and long delays for key markets like the US, where appointments are reportedly unavailable until 2026, continue to hinder tourists. Making it easier to visit India is one of the fastest ways to unlock further international arrivals and spending.”
While domestic tourism had been the main driver of recovery following the pandemic, international travel has now rebounded strongly. Domestic tourism continues to thrive, with spending climbing to Rs. 15.5 trillion—22 per cent above 2019 levels. Altogether, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed nearly Rs. 21 trillion to India’s economy in 2024, reflecting a 20 per cent increase since 2019.
Business travel also showed positive momentum, with combined domestic and international spending reaching Rs. 1.1 trillion—up 2.6 per cent compared to 2019.
Looking ahead, WTTC projects further expansion in 2025, anticipating the sector’s economic contribution to surpass Rs. 22 trillion and employment to exceed 48 million. By 2035, the tourism industry could potentially generate close to Rs. 42 trillion and support nearly 64 million jobs.
To bolster this growth, WTTC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the WTTC India Initiative (WTTCII), aimed at enhancing India’s global tourism positioning and fostering policy alignment. WTTC President Julia Simpson stressed the need for continued government investments, particularly in smart infrastructure and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a key role in tourism innovation and long-term sustainability.
“To support this growth and ensure long-term resilience, WTTC has signed an MoU with WTTCII to amplify India’s tourism voice globally. The MOU combines WTTC’s international influence with WTTCII’s strong national presence. The MOU will strengthen policy coherence and offer a model for global-local tourism leadership,” Simpson added.
The organisation also urged the Indian government to reconsider recent reductions in overseas tourism promotion budgets, emphasizing that consistent policy backing is vital for sustaining momentum and unlocking new growth opportunities.
