Latest data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that international visitor spend in India reached a record ₹3.1TN in 2024, 9% above the previous peak of 2019.

After a prolonged reliance on domestic travel spend following the pandemic, WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) reveals international travel is not only back; it’s stronger than ever, reaching unprecedented levels last year.

According to the data, while domestic travel has remained a vital force, with spending soaring to ₹15.5TN, (22% above 2019 levels), the revival of international tourism is now propelling the sector into a bold new era of growth.

Travel & Tourism contributed almost ₹21TN to the Indian economy last year, 20% ahead of 2019, and yet with a young, educated population facing rapid automation through AI, the sector remains a critical source of employment and opportunity. Strengthening infrastructure, including high-speed rail and smart mobility solutions, will be essential to reach the sector’s true potential and raise its GDP contribution toward 10-11%.

The sector also supported an all-time high of almost 46.5MN jobs, equivalent to 9.1% of total employment across India.

The country also welcomed 20MN international visitors in 2024 - 2.3MN more than 2019, reaffirming the country’s status as a leading global destination and underscoring the renewed international confidence in its tourism offering.

To maintain this momentum, WTTC calls for continued investment and targeted policy support, and urges the government to reconsider its recent decision to reduce funding for overseas tourism promotion.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said “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. While visa-on-arrival and e-visa systems are in place, reciprocal policies and long delays for key markets like the U.S., where appointments are reportedly unavailable until 2026, continue to hinder tourists. Making it easier to visit India is one of the fastest ways to unlock further international arrivals and spending.

“To support this growth and ensure long-term resilience, WTTC has signed an MoU with WTTCII to amplify India’s tourism voice globally. The MOU combines WTTC’s international influence with WTTCII’s strong national presence. The MOU will strengthen policy coherence and offer a model for global-local tourism leadership.”

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

A look ahead to 2025 and 2035

WTTC is forecasting another record-breaking year for India’s Travel & Tourism sector with its economic contribution set to reach over ₹22TN in 2025, whilst employment in the sector is expected to reach more than 48MN.

As the sector expands, there’s a significant opportunity to foster homegrown entrepreneurship, particularly in luxury travel experiences, which are gaining strong traction among new generations of travellers and investors.

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

By 2035, Travel & Tourism’s contribution to the national economy is forecast to almost double, to reach just under ₹42TN, with the sector employing almost 64MN people.

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. This includes unlocking the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises which form the backbone of the sector and drive innovation across communities and regions.

WTTC calls on the government to match the sector’s resilience and ambition with clear, consistent policy support.