India’s international visitor spend soars to record highs: WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is forecasting a ‘record-breaking’ year for India’s travel and tourism sector this year, with its economic contribution set to reach over Rs 22 trillion in 2025, whilst employment in the sector is expected to reach more than 48 million.

International visitor spend is expected to reach Rs 3.2 trillion, whilst spending from domestic travellers is set to hit Rs 16 trillion.

WTTC stated by 2035, travel and tourism’s contribution to the national economy is forecast to almost double, to reach just under Rs 42 trillion, with the sector employing almost 64 million people.

Data released Tuesday from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released Tuesday stated that international visitor spends in India reached a record Rs 3.1 trillion in 2024, 9% above the previous peak of 2019.

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), while domestic travel has remained a ‘vital force’, with spending soaring to Rs 15.5 trillion, (22% above 2019 levels), the revival of international tourism is now propelling the sector into a ‘bold’ new era of growth.

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Travel and tourism contributed almost Rs 21 trillion to the Indian economy last year, 20% ahead of 2019 levels. The sector also supported an all-time high of almost 46.5 million jobs, equivalent to 9.1% of total employment across India.The country also welcomed 20 million international visitors in 2024 – 2.3 million more than 2019.

But, while overall international visitor numbers went up considerably last year, as per WTTC research, the numbers and the growth compared to pre pandemic levels seems to have been driven considerably by visits by non-resident Indians.

As per data released by the ministry of tourism, India received more than 9.65 million foreign tourists in calendar year 2024, rising 1.4% from 9.52 million in 2023 but declining 11.6% from 10.93 million in 2019.

WTTC said it calls for continued investment and targeted policy support, and would urge the government to reconsider its recent decision to reduce funding for overseas tourism promotion.

“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. Making it easier to visit India is one of the fastest ways to unlock further international arrivals and spending,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO. “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,” she added.

The global tourism body’s research also reveals India’s business travel is experiencing record growth, with combined domestic and international spending hitting Rs 1.1 trillion last year, surpassing the 2019 peak by 2.6%.

The council said India is ‘well-placed’ to become one of the world’s most dynamic tourism economies, with its dynamic mix of heritage, natural beauty, and modern innovation, and that it calls on the government to match the sector’s resilience and ambition with ‘clear’, ‘consistent’ policy support.

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