Tourism in India
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Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Indian culture Tourism in India is 4.6% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Unlike other sectors, tourism is not a priority sector for the Government of India. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated Template:INRConvert or 5.8% of India's GDP and supported 32.1 million jobs in 2021. Even though, these numbers were lower than the pre-pandemic figures; the country's economy witnessed a significant growth in 2021 after the massive downturn during 2020. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 7.8% to Template:INRConvert by 2031 (7.2% of GDP).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> India has established itself as the 5th largest global travel healthcare destination with an estimated market size of around $9 billion in 2019, out of the total global travel healthcare industry of $44.8 billion(2019).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients travelled to India to seek medical treatment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
According to the Ministry of Tourism, over 6.19 million and 1.52 million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93 million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, Gujarat Tops India in Foreign Tourism with 20.17% Share in 2022. Gujarat rose as a global tourism hotspot continues with over 15.40 lakh tourists visiting in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2023, 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021, which replaced its previous Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, ranks India 54th out of 117 countries overall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The last edition of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, published in 2019, had ranked India 34th out of 140 countries overall. The report ranked the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 13th out of 140 countries. It mentioned that India has quite good air transport infrastructure (ranked 33rd), particularly given the country's stage of development, and reasonable ground and port infrastructure (ranked 28th). The country also scored high on natural resources (ranked 14th), and cultural resources and business travel (ranked 8th).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The World Tourism Organization reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among Asian and Pacific countries.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
The Ministry of Tourism designs national policies for the development and promotion of tourism. In the process, the Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various central ministries/agencies, state governments, union territories and private sector representatives. Concerted efforts are being made to promote niche tourism products such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism.<ref name="AnnualReport2017–18" /> The Ministry of Tourism maintains the Incredible India campaign focused on promoting tourism in India.
Visa policy of India
India requires citizens of most countries to hold a valid passport and apply for a travel visa at their local Indian embassy or consulate before their visit. Travellers can apply directly by mail or in person, or through their local travel services company. In 2014, India implemented an online method for citizens of 156 countries to apply for an e-Tourist Visa.<ref name=tvoa>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Nationals of Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal do not require a travel visa to enter India. Citizens of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, DPR Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa and Uruguay are not required to pay a fee when obtaining an Indian visa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During the pandemic year 2020, India had access to just 23 countries for travel, whereas now the Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 60 countries.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter the states of Nagaland and Sikkim and some parts of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Special permits are needed to visit the Lakshadweep islands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
e-Tourist Visa
As a measure to boost tourism,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the Indian Government implemented a new visa policy in November 2014, allowing tourists and business visitors to obtain a "visa on arrival" at 28 international airports, by acquiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before arrival, without having to visit an Indian consulate or visa centre.<ref name="zee14">Template:Cite news</ref> In April 2015, the "visa on arrival" scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" (or "e-TV") to avoid confusion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The e-Tourist Visa facility requires a tourist to apply online on a secure Government of India website, at least four to thirty days before the date of travel. If approved, the visitor must print and carry the approved visa with their travel documents. The visa allows holders of an ETA to enter and stay anywhere in India for a period of ninety days except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time. an ETA can be obtained twice in a single calendar year.<ref name=tvoa/>
India first introduced its "visa on arrival" facility on 27 November 2014, soon expanding it to citizens of 74 countries.<ref name=tvoa/> On 30 July 2015, the facility was extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 15 August 2015, the facility was further extended to citizens of 36 more countries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The facility should eventually be expanded to about 180 countries.
As a result of the new visa policy, 56,477 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa during October 2015, compared with 2,705 tourist arrivals during October 2014 (just before the facility was introduced), representing a 1987.9% increase.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Statistics
Domestic tourists
During 2021, the number of Domestic Tourist Visits to the States/UTs was 67,76,32,981(677 million approx.) as compared to 61,02,16,157(610 million approx.) in 2020 registering a growth of 11.05%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Foreign tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings
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| Year | Arrivals (millions) | % change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2.37 | 3.8 |
| 1998 | 2.36 | −0.7 |
| 1999 | 2.48 | 5.2 |
| 2000 | 2.65 | 6.7 |
| 2001 | 2.54 | −4.2 |
| 2002 | 2.38 | −6.0 |
| 2003 | 2.73 | 14.3 |
| 2004 | 3.46 | 26.8 |
| 2005 | 3.92 | 13.3 |
| 2006 | 4.45 | 13.5 |
| 2007 | 5.08 | 14.3 |
| 2008 | 5.28 | 4.0 |
| 2009 | 5.17 | −2.2 |
| 2010 | 5.78 | 11.8 |
| 2011 | 6.31 | 9.2 |
| 2012 | 6.58 | 4.3 |
| 2013 | 6.97 | 5.9 |
| 2014 | 7.68 | 10.2 |
| 2015 | 8.03 | 4.5 |
| 2016 | 8.80 | 9.7 |
| 2017 | 10.04 | 14.0 |
| 2018 | 10.56 | 5.2 |
| 2019 | 10.93 | 3.5 |
| 2020 | 2.74 | -74.9 |
| 2021 | 1.52 | -55.4 |
| 2022 | 6.19 | 307.2 |
| 2023 | 9.2 | 48.6 |
| Year | Earnings (US$ million) | % change | Earnings (Template:INR crores) | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2,889 | 2.0 | 10,511 | 4.6 |
| 1998 | 2,948 | 2.0 | 12,150 | 15.6 |
| 1999 | 3,009 | 2.1 | 12,951 | 6.6 |
| 2000 | 3,460 | 15 | 15,626 | 20.7 |
| 2001 | 3,198 | −7.6 | 15,083 | −3.5 |
| 2002 | 3,103 | −3.0 | 15,064 | −0.1 |
| 2003 | 4,463 | 43.8 | 20,729 | 37.6 |
| 2004 | 6,170 | 38.2 | 27,944 | 34.8 |
| 2005 | 7,493 | 21.4 | 33,123 | 18.5 |
| 2006 | 8,634 | 15.2 | 39,025 | 17.8 |
| 2007 | 10,729 | 24.3 | 44,362 | 13.7 |
| 2008 | 11,832 | 10.3 | 51,294 | 15.6 |
| 2009 | 11,136 | −5.9 | 53,754 | 4.8 |
| 2010 | 14,193 | 27.5 | 66,172 | 23.1 |
| 2011 | 16,564 | 16.7 | 83,036 | 25.5 |
| 2012 | 17,737 | 7.1 | 95,607 | 15.1 |
| 2013 | 18,445 | 4.0 | 107,563 | 12.5 |
| 2014 | 20,236 | 9.7 | 120,367 | 11.9 |
| 2015 | 21,071 | 4.1 | 134,844 | 12 |
| 2016 | 22,923 | 9.1 | 154,146 | 14.3 |
| 2017 | 27,310 | 19.1 | 177,874 | 15.4 |
| 2018 | 28,586 | 4.7 | 194,881 | 9.6 |
| 2019 | 30,058 | 5.1 | 211,661 | 8.6 |
| 2020 | 6,958 | -76.8 | 50,136 | -76.3 |
| Rank | Country | Number | Share in % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Template:Flag | 1,373,817 | 22.19 |
| 2 | Template:Flag | 1,255,960 | 20.29 |
| 3 | Template:Flag | 617,768 | 9.98 |
| 4 | Template:Flag | 369,023 | 5.96 |
| 5 | Template:Flag | 277,291 | 4.48 |
| 6 | Template:Flag | 177,652 | 2.87 |
| 7 | Template:Flag | 135,347 | 2.19 |
| 8 | Template:Flag | 124,496 | 2.01 |
| 9 | Template:Flag | 117,195 | 1.89 |
| 10 | Template:Flag | 116,523 | 1.88 |
| Total of top 10 | 4,565,072 | 73.73 | |
| Others | 1,626,327 | 26.27 | |
Foreign and domestic tourist visits by State
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| Rank | State/Union Territory | Numbers in Million | Share in % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat | 1.78 | 20.70 |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 1.51 | 17.60 |
| 3 | West Bengal | 1.04 | 12.08 |
| 4 | Delhi | 0.82 | 9.50 |
| 5 | Uttar Pradesh | 0.65 | 7.56 |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu | 0.41 | 4.74 |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 0.40 | 4.62 |
| 8 | Kerala | 0.35 | 4.02 |
| 9 | Punjab | 0.33 | 3.84 |
| 10 | Madhya Pradesh | 0.20 | 2.38 |
| Total of top 10 states | 7.47 | 87.3 | |
| Others | 1.11 | 12.97 | |
| Total | 8.59 | 100 | |
| Rank | State/Union Territory | Numbers in Million | Share in % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 317.91 | 18.37 |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 218.58 | 12.63 |
| 3 | Andhra Pradesh | 192.72 | 11.13 |
| 4 | Karnataka | 182.41 | 10.54 |
| 5 | Gujarat | 135.81 | 7.85 |
| 6 | Maharashtra | 111.30 | 6.43 |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 108.33 | 6.26 |
| 8 | West Bengal | 84.54 | 4.88 |
| 9 | Telangana | 60.75 | 3.51 |
| 10 | Uttarakhand | 54.64 | 3.16 |
| Total of top 10 states | 1467.00 | 84.75 | |
| Others | 264.01 | 15.25 | |
| Total | 1731.01 | 100 | |
World Heritage Sites
There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India that are recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of August 2023.<ref name=India>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Responsible tourism in India
Elephant camps
Riding elephants is a popular tourist activity in India. While the total number of elephants used for tourism in India is relatively low compared to other Asian countries (350 in India in 2017 compared to almost 2,200 in Thailand<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>), tourists will still have opportunities to ride elephants at historic sites and watch captive elephants perform in sports and shows<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and religious rituals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In early 2019, several prominent responsible tourism businesses including Responsible Travel and Intrepid Travel stopped selling tours including elephant rides citing reasons of animal cruelty and abuse. Later in 2019, The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) updated its animal welfare guidelines, labelling elephant riding as unacceptable.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Astrotourism
Template:Main Tourism of astronomical observatories and planetariums is increasing in India as of 2025, with the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh and other dark-sky preserves in the Himalayas, as well as sites in the Andaman Islands becoming popular destinations.<ref name="prih1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="timesofindia_23823853">Template:Cite news</ref>
See also
References
Further reading
- Gupta, S. P., and Krishna Lal. 1974. Tourism, museums, and monuments in India. Delhi: Oriental Publishers.
- Template:Cite book (First Edition 2009)
External links
Template:Commons Template:Wikivoyage
- Ministry of Tourism, India
- Visa on Arrival, Government of India
- Gujarat Tourism Official, Government Website
- Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Official Government website
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism Official Government website
- Punjab Tourism Official Government website
- Haryana Tourism Official Government website
- Delhi Tourism Official Government website
- Rajasthan Tourism Official Government website
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism, Government of India
- Karnataka Tourism Official Government website
- Madhya Pradesh Tourism Official Government website
- Maharashtra Tourism Official Government website
- Telangana Tourism Official, Government of India
- Andhra Pradesh Tourism Official, Government of India
- Bradnock, Roma (2004). Footprint India Footprint Travel Guides, Bath, UK. Template:ISBN.
- DeBruyn, Pippa; Bain, Keith; Venkatraman, Niloufer (2010). Frommer's India.
- Template:Cite news
- India's most famous tourism "Golden Triangle Tour Packages"
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