New Delhi: India’s tourism sector continued its recovery in 2024, with foreign tourist arrivals nearing pre-pandemic levels, while international tourist numbers crossed earlier benchmarks, reflecting steady revival and growing global interest.
Data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism, based on Bureau of Immigration records, showed foreign tourist arrivals at 9.95 million in 2024. This marked a 4.52% rise over 2023, though arrivals remained below the 2019 level.
State-level data submitted by governments placed Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan as the top destinations for foreign visitors during the year. The ministry does not track further details on travel routes or intra-state movement.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, as reported by PIB india, said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
While foreign tourist arrivals stayed below pre-Covid numbers, international tourist arrivals showed stronger momentum. India recorded 20.57 million international tourists in 2024, up from 18.89 million in 2023 and higher than the 2019 figure of 17.91 million.
This growth lifted India to the 20th position globally in terms of international tourist arrivals. The increase of nearly 15% over 2019 indicated a faster rebound than several regions in Asia and the Pacific.
The government also stepped up overseas promotion spending. Revised estimates under the Restructured Scheme of Overseas Promotion and Publicity stood at Rs33 crore for 2024–25 and Rs 43.48 crore for 2025–26. The funds support global marketing and market development efforts.
Tourism growth also translated into job creation. Estimates based on tourism accounts and labour surveys showed sector employment rising to 84.63 million in 2023–24, compared with 75.85 million in 2018–19. The ministry does not maintain gender-wise or rural-urban employment data.
Officials said uneven regional recovery persists, with some destinations outperforming pre-pandemic levels. Others continue to rebuild capacity and demand.
