In News:

The Government highlighted India's growing potential as a global tourism hub, supported by improved infrastructure, connectivity, digital platforms, travel facilitation, and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Key Highlights

• India recorded 2.9 billion domestic tourist visits (2024) and 2.02 crore international tourist arrivals (2025).
• Tourism contributed ?15.73 lakh crore (5.22% of GDP) in 2023–24 and supported 84.6 million jobs.
• Foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached USD 31.7 billion in 2025.

India's Tourism Potential

India's diverse cultural heritage, 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 106 National Parks, 18 Biosphere Reserves, pilgrimage centres, wildlife, wellness traditions, and varied landscapes make it one of the world's most attractive tourism destinations.

Major tourism segments include:

• Spiritual & Buddhist tourism
• Heritage & cultural tourism
• Wellness & medical tourism
• Eco & wildlife tourism
• Rural & community tourism
• MICE tourism
• Coastal, cruise & adventure tourism

Major Government Initiatives

• Swadesh Darshan: 76 projects worth ?5,295.24 crore across 14 thematic circuits.
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0: 53 destination-centric projects worth ?2,207.08 crore.
• PRASHAD Scheme: 54 projects worth ?1,726.24 crore for pilgrimage destinations.
• Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment: 40 tourism projects worth ?3,295.76 crore.
• Challenge-Based Destination Development: 37 projects worth ?687.99 crore.

Improving Connectivity & Ease of Travel

• Expansion of highways, Vande Bharat trains, UDAN airports and last-mile connectivity.
• Viksit UDAN aims to develop over 100 aerodromes and 200 helipads.
• e-Tourist Visa facility is available for nationals of 175 countries through 33 airports, 19 seaports and 4 land ports.
• NIDHI provides a unified digital platform for registration and classification of tourism service providers.

Tourism Start-ups

India has 1,497 DPIIT-recognised tourism start-ups across 262 districts, generating nearly 13,919 jobs. Around 58% are located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, promoting innovation in travel technology, homestays, rural tourism and AI-based travel services.

Sustainable Tourism

The Government promotes responsible tourism through the Travel for LiFE initiative, destination diversification, community participation, and conservation of heritage and biodiversity. Sustainable tourism also contributes to SDG 8.9, SDG 12.B, and SDG 14.7.

Significance

• Generates employment and foreign exchange.
• Promotes regional and rural development.
• Preserves cultural heritage and biodiversity.
• Strengthens India's position as a global tourism destination.
• Supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth.