Tourism in India: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Indian culture}}
{{Indian culture}}
'''Tourism in India''' is 4.6% of the country's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP). Unlike other sectors, tourism is not a priority sector for the [[Government of India]]. The [[World Travel and Tourism Council]] calculated that tourism generated {{INRConvert|13.2|lc}} or 5.8% of [[India]]'s GDP and supported&nbsp;32.1&nbsp;million jobs in 2021. Even though, these numbers were lower than the pre-pandemic figures; the country's economy witnessed a significant growth in 2021 after the massive downturn during 2020. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 7.8% to {{INRConvert|33.8|lc}} by 2031 (7.2% of GDP).<ref>{{cite web |title=India's Travel & Tourism could surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 |url=https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3d&portalid=0 |website=WTTC |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930103435/https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3D&portalid=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> India has established itself as the 5th largest global ''travel healthcare'' destination with an estimated market size of around $9 billion in 2019, out of the total global ''travel healthcare'' industry of $44.8 billion(2019).<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | title=India eyes to be a huge medical tourism hub in coming years | newspaper=The Times of India | last1=Singh | first1=Harsimarbir | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=21 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321142453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | title=Medical value tourism in India: What makes the country a leading Medical Tourism Destination | date=27 September 2021 | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=4 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204174617/https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients travelled to India to seek medical treatment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Promotion of Medical Tourism|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|website=Press Information Bureau|access-date=28 April 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507161741/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Tourism in India''' is 4.6% of the country's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP). Unlike other sectors, tourism is not a priority sector for the [[Government of India]]. The [[World Travel and Tourism Council]] calculated that tourism generated {{INRConvert|13.2|lc}} or 5.8% of [[India]]'s GDP and supported&nbsp;32.1&nbsp;million jobs in 2021. Even though, these numbers were lower than the pre-pandemic figures; the country's economy witnessed a significant growth in 2021 after the massive downturn during 2020. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 7.8% to {{INRConvert|33.8|lc}} by 2031 (7.2% of GDP).<ref>{{cite web |title=India's Travel & Tourism could surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 |url=https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3d&portalid=0 |website=WTTC |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930103435/https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3D&portalid=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> India has established itself as the 5th largest global ''travel healthcare'' destination with an estimated market size of around $9 billion in 2019, out of the total global ''travel healthcare'' industry of $44.8 billion (2019).<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | title=India eyes to be a huge medical tourism hub in coming years | newspaper=The Times of India | last1=Singh | first1=Harsimarbir | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=21 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321142453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | title=Medical value tourism in India: What makes the country a leading Medical Tourism Destination | date=27 September 2021 | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=4 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204174617/https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients travelled to India to seek medical treatment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Promotion of Medical Tourism|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|website=Press Information Bureau|access-date=28 April 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507161741/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|url-status=live}}</ref>


According to the [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism]], over 6.19&nbsp;million and 1.52&nbsp;million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93&nbsp;million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021. |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1914516 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=pib.gov.in |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165259/https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Foreign tourist arrivals to India 44% lesser than pre-Covid level |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817080059/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, [[Gujarat]] Tops India in Foreign Tourism with 20.17% Share in 2022. Gujarat rose as a global tourism hotspot continues with over 15.40 lakh tourists visiting in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/15-40-lakh-foreign-tourists-visited-gujarat-till-august-2023/articleshow/103966886.cms|title=Gujarat's rise as a global hotspot continues, with over 15.40 lakh already visiting in 2023|access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref> In 2023, 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Tourism Expansion in India | url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106215159/https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-date=2024-11-06}}</ref>
According to the [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism]], over 6.19&nbsp;million and 1.52&nbsp;million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93&nbsp;million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021. |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1914516 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=pib.gov.in |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165259/https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Foreign tourist arrivals to India 44% lesser than pre-Covid level |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817080059/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, [[Gujarat]] Tops India in Foreign Tourism with 20.17% Share in 2022. Gujarat rose as a global tourism hotspot continues with over 15.40 lakh tourists visiting in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/15-40-lakh-foreign-tourists-visited-gujarat-till-august-2023/articleshow/103966886.cms|title=Gujarat's rise as a global hotspot continues, with over 15.40 lakh already visiting in 2023|access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref> In 2023,approximately 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Tourism Expansion in India | url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106215159/https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-date=2024-11-06}}</ref>


The [[World Economic Forum]]'s ''[[Travel and Tourism Development Index]]'' 2021, which replaced its previous ''[[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report]],'' ranks India 54th out of 117 countries overall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |website=weforum.org |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=24 June 2022 |page=13 |date=May 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090138/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The last edition of the ''Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report'', published in 2019, had ranked India 34th out of 140 countries overall. The report ranked the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 13th out of 140 countries. It mentioned that India has quite good air transport infrastructure (ranked 33rd), particularly given the country's stage of development, and reasonable ground and port infrastructure (ranked 28th). The country also scored high on natural resources (ranked 14th), and cultural resources and business travel (ranked 8th).<ref>{{cite web |title=Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |website=weforum.org |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904142913/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[World Tourism Organization]] reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among [[Asia-Pacific|Asian and Pacific]] countries.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |title=Rank in Tourism |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=8 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064856/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[World Economic Forum]]'s ''[[Travel and Tourism Development Index]]'' 2021, which replaced its previous ''[[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report]],'' ranks India 54th out of 117 countries overall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |website=weforum.org |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=24 June 2022 |page=13 |date=May 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090138/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The last edition of the ''Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report'', published in 2019, had ranked India 34th out of 140 countries overall. The report ranked the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 13th out of 140 countries. It mentioned that India has quite good air transport infrastructure (ranked 33rd), particularly given the country's stage of development, and reasonable ground and port infrastructure (ranked 28th). The country also scored high on natural resources (ranked 14th), and cultural resources and business travel (ranked 8th).<ref>{{cite web |title=Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |website=weforum.org |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904142913/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[World Tourism Organization]] reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among [[Asia-Pacific|Asian and Pacific]] countries.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |title=Rank in Tourism |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=8 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064856/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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The e-Tourist Visa facility requires a tourist to apply online on a secure Government of India website, at least four to thirty days before the date of travel. If approved, the visitor must print and carry the approved visa with their travel documents. The visa allows holders of an ETA to enter and stay anywhere in India for a period of ninety days except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time. an ETA can be obtained twice in a single calendar year.<ref name=tvoa/>
The e-Tourist Visa facility requires a tourist to apply online on a secure Government of India website, at least four to thirty days before the date of travel. If approved, the visitor must print and carry the approved visa with their travel documents. The visa allows holders of an ETA to enter and stay anywhere in India for a period of ninety days except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time. an ETA can be obtained twice in a single calendar year.<ref name=tvoa/>


India first introduced its "visa on arrival" facility on 27 November 2014, to citizens of the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Palau, [[Palestine]], Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu and Vietnam.<ref name=tvoa/> On 30 July 2015, the facility was extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|title=Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from tomorrow|date=29 July 2015|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India]]|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417192018/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 August 2015, the facility was further extended to citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Belgium, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, Malaysia, Mongolia, Monaco, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|title=Press Note – Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to 36 more countries and 7 more airports from 15th August 2015|website=indianembassy.fi|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115144832/http://indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The facility should eventually be expanded to about 180 countries.
India first introduced its "visa on arrival" facility on 27 November 2014, soon expanding it to citizens of 74 countries.<ref name=tvoa/> On 30 July 2015, the facility was extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|title=Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from tomorrow|date=29 July 2015|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India]]|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417192018/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 August 2015, the facility was further extended to citizens of 36 more countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|title=Press Note – Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to 36 more countries and 7 more airports from 15th August 2015|website=indianembassy.fi|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115144832/http://indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The facility should eventually be expanded to about 180 countries.
As a result of the new visa policy, 56,477 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa during October 2015, compared with 2,705 tourist arrivals during October 2014 (just before the facility was introduced), representing a 1987.9% increase. During the period from January to October 2015, a total of 258,182 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa, a 1073.8% increase on the 21,995 tourist arrivals during the same period in 2014 (before the e-Tourist Visa was available).<ref>{{cite news|title=1988% growth registered in tourist visa-on-arrival in October|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/1988-growth-registered-in-tourist-visa-on-arrival-in-October/articleshow/49829917.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 November 2015|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165416/https://plus.timesofindia.com/toi-feed/config/toiw/trans/master?fv=1100|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
As a result of the new visa policy, 56,477 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa during October 2015, compared with 2,705 tourist arrivals during October 2014 (just before the facility was introduced), representing a 1987.9% increase.<ref>{{cite news|title=1988% growth registered in tourist visa-on-arrival in October|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/1988-growth-registered-in-tourist-visa-on-arrival-in-October/articleshow/49829917.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 November 2015|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165416/https://plus.timesofindia.com/toi-feed/config/toiw/trans/master?fv=1100|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Statistics==
==Statistics==
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In early 2019, several prominent [[Sustainable tourism|responsible tourism]] businesses including [[Responsible Travel]] and [[Intrepid Travel]] stopped selling tours including elephant rides citing reasons of animal cruelty and abuse. Later in 2019, The Association of British Travel Agents ([[ABTA – The Travel Association|ABTA]]) updated its animal welfare guidelines, labelling elephant riding as unacceptable.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-18 |title=Elephant rides and bathing now 'unacceptable' in latest UK travel association guidelines |url=https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/news/elephant-rides-and-bathing-now-unacceptable-latest-uk-travel-association-guidelines/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=World Animal Protection Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In early 2019, several prominent [[Sustainable tourism|responsible tourism]] businesses including [[Responsible Travel]] and [[Intrepid Travel]] stopped selling tours including elephant rides citing reasons of animal cruelty and abuse. Later in 2019, The Association of British Travel Agents ([[ABTA – The Travel Association|ABTA]]) updated its animal welfare guidelines, labelling elephant riding as unacceptable.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-18 |title=Elephant rides and bathing now 'unacceptable' in latest UK travel association guidelines |url=https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/news/elephant-rides-and-bathing-now-unacceptable-latest-uk-travel-association-guidelines/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=World Animal Protection Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
 
===Astrotourism===
==Gallery==
{{main|Astrotourism in India}}
;North India:
Tourism of astronomical [[Observatory|observatories]] and [[planetarium]]s is increasing [[Astrotourism in India|in India]] as of 2025, with the [[Indian Astronomical Observatory]] in [[Hanle (village)|Hanle]], [[Ladakh]] and other [[dark-sky preserve]]s in the [[Himalayas]], as well as sites in the [[Andaman Islands]] becoming popular destinations.<ref name="prih1">{{cite web | last=Ramesh | first=Sandhya | title=India’s new tourism boom is in the sky. Uttarakhand to Andamans, stargazing on the rise | website=ThePrint | date=5 June 2023 | url=https://theprint.in/the-fineprint/indias-new-tourism-boom-is-in-the-sky-uttarakhand-to-andamans-stargazing-on-the-rise/1611317/ | access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia_23823853">{{Cite news |date=2025-09-14 |title=Forget city lights! These Astro-tourism destinations in India will blow your mind |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/destinations/forget-city-lights-these-astro-tourism-destinations-in-india-will-blow-your-mind/photostory/123823853.cms?picid=123823865 |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
<gallery mode="nolines" class="center">
File:Dal_Lake_Hazratbal_Srinagar.jpg|[[Dal Lake]] in [[Srinagar]]
File:Sultanpur_Bird_Sanctuary,_Haryana..JPG|[[Sultanpur National Park]] in [[Gurgaon]]
File:Kashi_Vishwanath.jpg|[[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]] in [[Varanasi]]
File:Bhangarh_Fort_alwar.jpg|[[Bhangarh Fort]], a very popular fort city in [[Alwar]]
File:Udaipur City Palace November 2013.jpg|[[City Palace, Udaipur|Udaipur's City Palace]]
File:A view of Nainital lake with the morning mist.jpg|Boats on [[Nainital Lake|Naini Lake]] in [[Nainital]] city
File:Lotus Temple in New Delhi 03-2016.jpg|[[Lotus Temple]] in Delhi
File:Pangong_lake_-_Ladakh.jpg|[[Pangong Tso]] lake in [[Ladakh]]
File:Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe.jpg|[[Tso Moriri]] in [[Ladakh]]
File:Hamandir Sahib (Golden Temple).jpg|[[Golden Temple]], [[Amritsar]]
File:Khajjiar.jpg|[[Khajjiar]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]
File:Sarayu_River_night_view,_Ayodhya_001.jpg|[[Ayodhya]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
File:Pahalgam_Golf_Course.jpg| [[Pahalgam]] in Kashmir
File:Gulmarg - Jammu and Kashmir.jpg|[[Gulmarg]] in Kashmir
File:Sonmarg_rishav7336.jpg| [[Sonmarg]] in Kashmir
File:5 Nubra valley.jpg| [[Nubra Valley]] in Ladakh
File:Puga India 4500 m Elevation - panoramio.jpg | Puga Valley in Ladakh
File:Tomb_of_Mohammad_Shah.jpg|[[Lodi Gardens]] in [[New Delhi]]
File:Chattarpur_Temple.jpg|[[Chhatarpur Temple]] in South Delhi
File:Swaminarayan_Akshardham,_Delhi.jpg|[[Swaminarayan Akshardham (Delhi)|Akshardham Temple]] in [[New Delhi]]
</gallery>
;South India:
<gallery mode="nolines" class="center">
File:Tirumala_090615.jpg|[[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Tirupati temple]]  
File:Coorg - The Scotland of India.jpg|[[Madikeri]] or Coorg in [[Kodagu district|Kodagu]], [[Karnataka]]
File:Grand_Canon_of_India_(Gandikota).jpg|[[Gandikota]] river valley in [[Andhra Pradesh]]  
File:Harangi_Elephant_Camp_and_Tree_Park.jpg|[[Harangi Dam|Harangi tree park and reservoir]] in [[Kodagu district|Kodagu]], [[Karnataka]]
File:Ranipuram_hill.jpg|[[Ranipuram]] hills in [[Kerala]]
File:Boathouse in Allepy.jpg|[[Houseboat]] in [[Kerala]] backwaters
File:The Stone Chariot, Hampi.jpg|Stone chariot in [[Hampi]]
File: Kuduremukha-NationalPark Grassland.jpg|Grasslands in [[Kudremukha|Kudremukh National Park]] during Monsoon
File:Mysore palace illuminated.jpg|[[Mysore Palace]] illuminated at night
File:The big temple.jpg|[[Brihadeeswarar Temple]] at [[Thanjavur]]
File:Idukki013.jpg|[[Idukki Dam]] in Kerala
File:Shravanabelagola Hillview.jpg|[[Gommateshwara statue]] in [[Shravanabelagola]]
File:Mamallapuram, Shore Temple, India.jpg|[[Shore Temple]], [[Mahabalipuram]]
File:Keshet neal island india.jpg| Natural bridge in [[Neil Island]]
File:Havelock_Island,_Ethereal_mangrove_tree,_Andaman_Islands.jpg|Beach on [[Havelock Island]]
File:The Coral Reef at the Andaman Islands.jpg|Coral reef in [[Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park|Jolly Buoy Island]], Andaman
</gallery>
;Central India:
<gallery mode="nolines" class="center">
File:The Chitrakote Falls.jpg|[[Chitrakote Falls]], the largest waterfalls in India at [[Jagdalpur]]
File:Laxman temple at sirpur,chhattisgarh,india.JPG| [[Sirpur Group of Monuments|Laxman Temple, Sirpur]]
File:White Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat.jpg| [[Marble Rocks]] in [[Bhedaghat]]
File:0102621 Omkareswar Jyothirlinga temple, Mandhata Madhya Pradesh 005.jpg|Omkareshwar Temple in [[Mandhata]]
File:Marble Rocks, MP, India.jpg|[[Dhuandhar Falls]]
File:Gwalior Fort front.jpg|[[Gwalior Fort]], oldest fort in India
File:Indore_Rajwada01.jpg|[[Rajwada|Rajwada Palace]] in [[Indore]]
File:MAHAKAL LOK UJJAIN.jpg|[[Mahakal Lok corridor]] in [[Ujjain]]
File:Patalpani_Waterfall.jpg|[[Patalpani waterfall]]s near [[Indore]]
File:Welcome_To_City_Of_Lake.jpg|Boating club in [[Bhopal]], The City of Lakes
File:Stupa_1,_Sanchi_02.jpg|Great Stupa at [[Sanchi]] near [[Bhopal]]
File:1_of_the_rock_shelter_caves_at_Bhimbetka,_Madhya_Pradesh.jpg|[[Bhimbetka rock shelters]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near [[Bhopal]]
File:Khajuraho tempel india.jpg|[[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho temples]]
File:Collarwali Tigress of Pench.jpg|A [[Tigress]] at [[Pench Tiger Reserve]]
</gallery>
;West India:
<gallery mode="nolines" class="center">
File:Statue of Unity358.jpg |[[Statue of Unity]]
File:Kadiya_Dhro.jpg| Kadiya Dhro in [[Rann of Kutch]], Gujarat
File:Delight_india.jpg|[[Gokarna, Karnataka|Gokarna]], Karnataka near [[Goa]]
File:Palolem beach.jpg|[[Palolem Beach]] in [[Goa]]
File:Kaas world Heritage.jpg|[[Kas Plateau Reserved Forest|Kaas Plateau]], part of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
File:Nashik Clouds.jpg | [[List of forts in Maharashtra|Forts of Maharashtra]] are also called Green canyon of India
File:Lonar Sarovar lake Maharastra.jpg|[[Lonar Lake]], a notified National Geo-heritage Monument
File:Sai_baba_samadhi_mandir_.jpg|[[Sai Baba of Shirdi|Sai Baba]] temple in Shirdi
File:Alibag Sea beach, Maharashtra.JPG|[[Alibag|Alibag Sea beach]] in [[Maharashtra]]
File:Beachtale.JPG|[[Candolim]] beach in [[Goa]]
File:Kailasa temple overview, Ellora.jpg|[[Kailasa temple, Ellora|Kailasa Temple]] at [[Ellora Caves|Ellora]]
File:Elephanta Caves Trimurti.jpg|[[Elephanta Caves]]
File:Aguada Fort Top View, North Goa.jpg| Aguada Fort, [[Goa]]
File:Gir lion-Gir forest,junagadh,gujarat,india.jpeg|An [[Asiatic Lion]] family in [[Gir National Park]]
File:Indischer Maler des 6. Jahrhunderts 001.jpg| Ajanta Caves in [[Maharashtra]]
File:Lonavalamh.jpg|View of [[Western Ghats]] in [[Lonavala]]
</gallery>
;East India:
<gallery mode="nolines" class="center">
File:Konark Temple.jpg|[[Konark Sun Temple]] in [[Odisha]]
File:DSC_0764f.jpg| [[Irrawaddy dolphin|Dolphins]] in [[Chilika Lake]], [[Satpada]]
File:Near Krang Suri Waterfall.jpg | [https://www.meghalayatourism.in/destinations/krangshuri-falls/ Krang Suri Waterfalls] in  [[Cherrapunji]], [[Meghalaya]]
File:Rainbow Waterfall Meghalaya.jpg | [https://www.meghalayatourism.in/destinations/rongbangdare-waterfalls/ Rainbow waterfalls] in [[Meghalaya]]
File:Wei Sawdong Waterfall (6).jpg | [[Wei Sawdong Falls]] in [[Cherrapunji]], [[Meghalaya]]
File:Santiniketan-Griha-Southern-View.jpg|[[Santiniketan]], [[West Bengal]], a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]
File:Bakkhali1.jpg|[[Bakkhali]], [[West Bengal]]
File:Temple_No.-_3,_Nalanda_Archaeological_Site.jpg| [[Ancient india|Ancient]] [[Nalanda mahavihara]]
File:A View of Umiam Lake.jpg | [[Umiam Lake]], [[Meghalaya]]
File:The Umngot River Boating at Dawki.jpg|[[Dawki]] in [[Meghalaya]]
File:Lotus_Jain_Temple.jpg|[[Śvetāmbara|Shwetambar temple]] of [[Parshvanatha|Lord Parshvanatha]], [[Parasnath]] hills
File:Mahabodhitemple.jpg|[[Mahabodhi Temple]] in [[Bodh Gaya|Bodhgaya]]
File:TOVP_BY_SANDIP_PAUL.jpg|[[Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir|Temple of the Vedic Planetarium]], [[Mayapur]], [[West Bengal]]
</gallery>
;NorthEast India:
<gallery mode="nolines" class="center">
File:Kangch-Goechala.jpg|[[Goecha La]] in [[Sikkim]]
File:Beauty_of_Kaziranga_National_Park.jpg|[[Kaziranga]] in [[Assam]]
File:Gangtok from Tibet Road.jpg|[[Gangtok]] from [[Tibet]]-Road
File:Gangtok 01.jpg|[[Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Gangtok)|M.G Marg]] in [[Gangtok]]
File:The_Loktak_Lake.jpg|[[Loktak Lake]] in [[Manipur]]
File:Tawang Gate.jpg|[[Sela Pass]] in [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
</gallery>
 
==Outline of tourism in India==
 
{{#section-h:Outline of India|Tourism in India}}


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 20:12, 3 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Template:EngvarB Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Indian culture Tourism in India is 4.6% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Unlike other sectors, tourism is not a priority sector for the Government of India. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated Template:Indian rupee13.2 lakh crore ({{INRConvert/Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".|13.2|12||USD|year={{{year}}}}}) or 5.8% of India's GDP and supported 32.1 million jobs in 2021. Even though, these numbers were lower than the pre-pandemic figures; the country's economy witnessed a significant growth in 2021 after the massive downturn during 2020. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 7.8% to Template:Indian rupee33.8 lakh crore ({{INRConvert/Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".|33.8|12||USD|year={{{year}}}}}) by 2031 (7.2% of GDP).[1] India has established itself as the 5th largest global travel healthcare destination with an estimated market size of around $9 billion in 2019, out of the total global travel healthcare industry of $44.8 billion (2019).[2][3] In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients travelled to India to seek medical treatment.[4]

According to the Ministry of Tourism, over 6.19 million and 1.52 million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93 million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.[5][6] In 2022, Gujarat Tops India in Foreign Tourism with 20.17% Share in 2022. Gujarat rose as a global tourism hotspot continues with over 15.40 lakh tourists visiting in 2023.[7] In 2023,approximately 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022.[8]

The World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021, which replaced its previous Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, ranks India 54th out of 117 countries overall.[9] The last edition of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, published in 2019, had ranked India 34th out of 140 countries overall. The report ranked the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 13th out of 140 countries. It mentioned that India has quite good air transport infrastructure (ranked 33rd), particularly given the country's stage of development, and reasonable ground and port infrastructure (ranked 28th). The country also scored high on natural resources (ranked 14th), and cultural resources and business travel (ranked 8th).[10] The World Tourism Organization reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among Asian and Pacific countries.[11]

The Ministry of Tourism designs national policies for the development and promotion of tourism. In the process, the Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various central ministries/agencies, state governments, union territories and private sector representatives. Concerted efforts are being made to promote niche tourism products such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism.[12] The Ministry of Tourism maintains the Incredible India campaign focused on promoting tourism in India.

Visa policy of India

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India requires citizens of most countries to hold a valid passport and apply for a travel visa at their local Indian embassy or consulate before their visit. Travellers can apply directly by mail or in person, or through their local travel services company. In 2014, India implemented an online method for citizens of 156 countries to apply for an e-Tourist Visa.[13][14]

Nationals of Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal do not require a travel visa to enter India. Citizens of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, DPR Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa and Uruguay are not required to pay a fee when obtaining an Indian visa.[15][16]

During the pandemic year 2020, India had access to just 23 countries for travel, whereas now the Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 60 countries.[17]

A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter the states of Nagaland and Sikkim and some parts of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Special permits are needed to visit the Lakshadweep islands.[18]

e-Tourist Visa

As a measure to boost tourism,[19] the Indian Government implemented a new visa policy in November 2014, allowing tourists and business visitors to obtain a "visa on arrival" at 28 international airports, by acquiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before arrival, without having to visit an Indian consulate or visa centre.[20] In April 2015, the "visa on arrival" scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" (or "e-TV") to avoid confusion.[21]

The e-Tourist Visa facility requires a tourist to apply online on a secure Government of India website, at least four to thirty days before the date of travel. If approved, the visitor must print and carry the approved visa with their travel documents. The visa allows holders of an ETA to enter and stay anywhere in India for a period of ninety days except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time. an ETA can be obtained twice in a single calendar year.[13]

India first introduced its "visa on arrival" facility on 27 November 2014, soon expanding it to citizens of 74 countries.[13] On 30 July 2015, the facility was extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong.[22] On 15 August 2015, the facility was further extended to citizens of 36 more countries.[23] The facility should eventually be expanded to about 180 countries.

As a result of the new visa policy, 56,477 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa during October 2015, compared with 2,705 tourist arrivals during October 2014 (just before the facility was introduced), representing a 1987.9% increase.[24]

Statistics

Domestic tourists

During 2021, the number of Domestic Tourist Visits to the States/UTs was 67,76,32,981(677 million approx.) as compared to 61,02,16,157(610 million approx.) in 2020 registering a growth of 11.05%.[25]

Foreign tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings

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Source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2022[27]
Rank Country Number Share in %
1 File:Flag of the United States.svg United States 1,373,817 22.19
2 File:Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 1,255,960 20.29
3 File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 617,768 9.98
4 File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 369,023 5.96
5 File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 277,291 4.48
6 File:Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka 177,652 2.87
7 File:Flag of Nepal.svg   Nepal 135,347 2.19
8 File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany 124,496 2.01
9 File:Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore 117,195 1.89
10 File:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia 116,523 1.88
Total of top 10 4,565,072 73.73
Others 1,626,327 26.27

Foreign and domestic tourist visits by State

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World Heritage Sites

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There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India that are recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of August 2023.[30][31]

Responsible tourism in India

Elephant camps

Riding elephants is a popular tourist activity in India. While the total number of elephants used for tourism in India is relatively low compared to other Asian countries (350 in India in 2017 compared to almost 2,200 in Thailand[32]), tourists will still have opportunities to ride elephants at historic sites and watch captive elephants perform in sports and shows[33] and religious rituals.[34]

In early 2019, several prominent responsible tourism businesses including Responsible Travel and Intrepid Travel stopped selling tours including elephant rides citing reasons of animal cruelty and abuse. Later in 2019, The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) updated its animal welfare guidelines, labelling elephant riding as unacceptable.[35]

Astrotourism

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Tourism of astronomical observatories and planetariums is increasing in India as of 2025, with the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh and other dark-sky preserves in the Himalayas, as well as sites in the Andaman Islands becoming popular destinations.[36][37]

See also

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References

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  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Further reading

External links

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