1 / 11Tourism is not just leisure and travel. It is the economic lifeblood for many countries. It not only provides direct and indirect employment to millions, but supplies vital foreign exchange to the national exchequer. While India is emerging as a major tourist attraction, it is still not among the top 10 countries in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. (Image: Shutterstock)
2 / 111) In 2024, India’s Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism amounted to $35.01 billion. This was an increase of 8.78% from 2023, when India earned $32.189 billion from foreign tourists. Notably, India earned just $3.2 billion in FEEs in 2001. (Image: Shutterstock)
3 / 112) India, accounting for 1.40% of total international arrivals in 2024, contributed 2.02% to global tourism receipts. India was ranked 15th in total foreign exchange earnings from tourism. The country’s rank improved from 2001, when it stood at the 36th spot with a total global share of 0.69%.(Inage: AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
4 / 113) In FY24, the travel and tourism sector in India generated approximately 84.63 million jobs (including both direct and indirect employment). The sector contributed 5.22% to India’s economy, with direct contribution valued at ₹8,18 lakh crore. (Image: AP Photo)
5 / 114) With 20.57 million International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in 2024, India was ranked 20th in 2024. However, 51.6% of the ITAs were non-resident Indians. Rest were foreign tourists. Over 10.6 million NRIs entered India in 2024, a 52.15% rise compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019. (Image: Shutterstock)
6 / 115) While overall ITAs surpassed the pre-pandemic level in 2024, the number of foreign tourists continued to remain below the level recorded in 2019. Over 9.95 million foreign tourists visited India in 2024, which was 9% lower compared to 2019. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 116) In 2024, the top five sources of FTAs were the United States, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. These five nations accounted for about 51% of total FTAs in India. (Image: AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)
8 / 114) With 20.57 million International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in 2024, India was ranked 20th in 2024. However, 51.6% of the ITAs were non-resident Indians. Rest were foreign tourists. Over 10.6 million NRIs entered India in 2024, a 52.15% rise compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019. (Image: Shutterstock)
9 / 118) According to the annual report, significant government investments, 517 new air routes, 157 airports and an expanded road network of 1,45,000 kilometres, helped India rank high in price competitiveness (18th) and air transport (26th) and ground and port infrastructure (25th). Overall, India was ranked 39th in the Travel and Tourism Development Index last year. (Image: Shutterstock)
10 / 119) Medical tourism emerged as a key source of foreign tourists. It accounted for 6.48% of total foreign arrivals in 2024. South Asia (20.27%), Africa (18.93%) and West Asia (17.88%) were the three biggest source of medical tourism last year. Do note that India ranked 10th on the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) in 2024. (Image: PTI)
11 / 1110) India’s winter season attracted the biggest chunk of foreign tourists. As per the annual report, December recorded 10.66% of the total FTAs in 2024. Combined with February (10.37%), January (9.86%) and November (9.79%), India’s winter months accounted for over 40% of total arrivals.(Image: Reuters)
