View source for Tourism in India

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{{Update|date=July 2021|reason=Update on [[COVID-19]] and tourism industry}}
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{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{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 {{INRConvert|13.2|lc}} or 5.8% of [[India]]'s GDP and supported&nbsp;32.1&nbsp;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 {{INRConvert|33.8|lc}} by 2031 (7.2% of GDP).<ref>{{cite web |title=India's Travel & Tourism could surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 |url=https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3d&portalid=0 |website=WTTC |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930103435/https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3D&portalid=0 |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | title=India eyes to be a huge medical tourism hub in coming years | newspaper=The Times of India | last1=Singh | first1=Harsimarbir | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=21 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321142453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | title=Medical value tourism in India: What makes the country a leading Medical Tourism Destination | date=27 September 2021 | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=4 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204174617/https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients travelled to India to seek medical treatment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Promotion of Medical Tourism|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|website=Press Information Bureau|access-date=28 April 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507161741/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism]], over 6.19&nbsp;million and 1.52&nbsp;million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93&nbsp;million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021. |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1914516 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=pib.gov.in |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165259/https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Foreign tourist arrivals to India 44% lesser than pre-Covid level |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817080059/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/15-40-lakh-foreign-tourists-visited-gujarat-till-august-2023/articleshow/103966886.cms|title=Gujarat's rise as a global hotspot continues, with over 15.40 lakh already visiting in 2023|access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref> In 2023, 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Tourism Expansion in India | url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106215159/https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-date=2024-11-06}}</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>{{cite web |title=Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |website=weforum.org |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=24 June 2022 |page=13 |date=May 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090138/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web |title=Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |website=weforum.org |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904142913/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[World Tourism Organization]] reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among [[Asia-Pacific|Asian and Pacific]] countries.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |title=Rank in Tourism |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=8 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064856/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|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 [[Union Government ministries of India|central ministries]]/[[List of Union Government agencies of India|agencies]], [[State governments of India|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==
{{main|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 agency|travel services company]]. In 2014, India implemented an online method for citizens of 156 countries to apply for an [[#e-Tourist Visa|e-Tourist Visa]].<ref name=tvoa>{{cite web|url=https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html|title=e-Visa|publisher=[[Government of India]]|date=2014|access-date=26 November 2014|archive-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119134347/https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-27 |title=India launches e-visa facility for 43 countries |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/444168/india-launches-e-visa-facility.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019163041/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/444168/india-launches-e-visa-facility.html |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web |title=Indian Visa fee schedule for all nationalities |url=http://www.cgihk.gov.in/pdf/indian-visa-fee-schedule-for-all-nationalities.pdf |publisher=Consulate General of India, Hong Kong |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=29 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329052011/http://www.cgihk.gov.in/pdf/indian-visa-fee-schedule-for-all-nationalities.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf|title=Country/Territory Wise e-Visa Fee|website=indianvisaonline.gov.in|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912185501/https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf|url-status=live}}</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>{{Cite news |title=A complete list of 60 countries that offer visa on arrival to Indian travellers |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/a-complete-list-of-60-countries-that-offer-visa-on-arrival-to-indian-travellers/articleshow/93131778.cms |access-date=2023-08-17 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805165240/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/a-complete-list-of-60-countries-that-offer-visa-on-arrival-to-indian-travellers/articleshow/93131778.cms |url-status=live }}</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 (union territory)|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>{{cite web|title=Visa Information – India|url=http://indiatravels.info/visa-information/|website=indiatravels.info|access-date=17 November 2014|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517154647/http://indiatravels.info/visa-information/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== e-Tourist Visa ===
As a measure to boost tourism,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/india-announces-visa-rules-boost-tourism-numbers-111726620.html|title=India announces new visa rules to boost tourism numbers|date=27 November 2014|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706042931/http://news.yahoo.com/india-announces-visa-rules-boost-tourism-numbers-111726620.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Government of India|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">{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-to-extended-visa-on-arrival-to-tourists-from-180-countries_909348.html|title=India to extend visa-on-arrival to tourists from 180 countries|publisher=[[Zee News]]|date=5 February 2014|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=29 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629135236/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-to-extended-visa-on-arrival-to-tourists-from-180-countries_909348.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2015, the "visa on arrival" scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" (or "e-TV") to avoid confusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-changes-name-of-visa-on-arrival-scheme-to-e-tourist-visa-754929|title=Government Changes Name of Visa on Arrival Scheme to E-Tourist Visa|date=14 April 2015|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424221552/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-changes-name-of-visa-on-arrival-scheme-to-e-tourist-visa-754929|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|title=Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from tomorrow|date=29 July 2015|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India]]|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417192018/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15 August 2015, the facility was further extended to citizens of 36 more countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|title=Press Note – Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to 36 more countries and 7 more airports from 15th August 2015|website=indianembassy.fi|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115144832/http://indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|url-status=dead}}</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>{{cite news|title=1988% growth registered in tourist visa-on-arrival in October|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/1988-growth-registered-in-tourist-visa-on-arrival-in-October/articleshow/49829917.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 November 2015|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165416/https://plus.timesofindia.com/toi-feed/config/toiw/trans/master?fv=1100|url-status=live}}</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>{{Cite web| url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/Brief%20write%20up.pdf | title=Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits to States and UTs during 2021 | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=11 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011102240/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/Brief%20write%20up.pdf | url-status=live}}</ref>

===Foreign tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings===

<div class="floatright">
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 bar:January text:January
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PlotData=
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 bar:January from:start till:959 text:
 bar:February from:start till:1000 text:
 bar:March from:start till:860 text:
 bar:April from:start till:651 text:
 bar:May from:start till:600 text:
 bar:June from:start till:706 text:
 bar:July from:start till:776 text:
 bar:August from:start till:636 text:
 bar:September from:start till:670 text:
 bar:October from:start till:820 text:
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TextData=
 pos:(50,37) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Tourist arrivals in 2024 (k)
TextData=
 pos:(50,20) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Source: Trading Economics /
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 pos:(50,3) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Department of Tourism, India
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{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Foreign tourist arrivals in India (1997–2022)<ref name="2019Data">{{Cite web|title=India Tourism Statistics at a Glance|url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-09/English%20Tourisum%202021.pdf|access-date=2021-12-09|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031040717/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-09/English%20Tourisum%202021.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
! 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
|}{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+ Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India (1997–2020)<ref name="2019Data"/>
! Year !! Earnings (US$ million) !! % change !! Earnings ({{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
|{{formatnum:107563}}
|12.5
|-
|2014
|20,236
|9.7
|{{formatnum:120367}}
|11.9
|-
|2015
|21,071
|4.1
|{{formatnum:134844}}
|12
|-
|2016
|22,923
|9.1
|{{formatnum:154146}}
|14.3
|-
|2017
|27,310
|19.1
|{{formatnum:177874}}
|15.4
|-
|2018
|28,586
|4.7
|{{formatnum:194881}}
|9.6
|-
|2019
|30,058
|5.1
|{{formatnum:211661}}
|8.6
|-
|2020
|6,958
| -76.8
|{{formatnum:50136}}
| -76.3
|}
{{col-end}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+ Source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2022<ref>{{Cite web| title=India - Tourism Statistics at a Glance 2023 | url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805093025/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf | archive-date=2023-08-05}}</ref>
! Rank !! Country !! Number !! Share in %
|-
| 1 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|United States}} || 1,373,817 || 22.19
|-
| 2 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Bangladesh}} || 1,255,960 || 20.29
|-
| 3 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|United Kingdom}} || 617,768 || 9.98
|-
| 4 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Australia}} || 369,023 || 5.96
|-
| 5 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Canada}} || 277,291 || 4.48
|-
| 6 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Sri Lanka}} || 177,652 || 2.87
|-
| 7 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Nepal}}|| 135,347 || 2.19
|-
| 8 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Germany}} || 124,496 |||2.01
|-
| 9 || style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Singapore}}|| 117,195 |||1.89
|-
| 10|| style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Malaysia}} || 116,523 || 1.88
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:right;" |Total of top 10 || 4,565,072 || 73.73
|-
| colspan="2" |Others
|1,626,327
|26.27
|}

===Foreign and domestic tourist visits by State===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Share of top 10 states/[[Union Territory|UTs]] of India in number of foreign tourist visits in 2022<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2023 |title=India tourism statistic at a glance 2023 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234439/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date= |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Rank
!State/Union Territory
!Numbers in Million
!Share in %
|-
|1
| style="text-align:left" |[[Gujarat]]
|1.78
|20.70
|-
|2
| style="text-align:left" |[[Maharashtra]]
|1.51
|17.60
|-
|3
| style="text-align:left" |[[West Bengal]]
|1.04
|12.08
|-
|4
| style="text-align:left" |[[Delhi]]
|0.82
|9.50
|-
|5
| style="text-align:left" |[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|0.65
|7.56
|-
|6
| style="text-align:left" |[[Tamil Nadu]]
|0.41
|4.74
|-
|7
| style="text-align:left" |[[Rajasthan]]
|0.40
|4.62
|-
|8
| style="text-align:left" |[[Kerala]]
|0.35
|4.02
|-
|9
| style="text-align:left" |[[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
|0.33
|3.84
|-
|10
| style="text-align:left" |[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|0.20
|2.38
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total of top 10 states
|7.47
|87.3
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Others
|1.11
|12.97
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total
|8.59
|100
|}{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Share of top 10 states/[[Union Territory|UTs]] of India in number of domestic tourist visits in 2022<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2023 |title=India tourism statistic at a glance 2023 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234439/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date= |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Rank
!State/Union Territory
!Numbers in Million
!Share in %
|-
|1
| style="text-align:left" |Uttar Pradesh
|317.91
|18.37
|-
|2
| style="text-align:left" |Tamil Nadu
|218.58
|12.63
|-
|3
| style="text-align:left" |Andhra Pradesh
|192.72
|11.13
|-
|4
| style="text-align:left" |Karnataka
|182.41
|10.54
|-
|5
| style="text-align:left" |Gujarat
|135.81
|7.85
|-
|6
| style="text-align:left" |Maharashtra
|111.30
|6.43
|-
|7
| style="text-align:left" |Rajasthan
|108.33
|6.26
|-
|8
| style="text-align:left" |West Bengal 
|84.54
|4.88
|-
|9
| style="text-align:left" |Telangana
|60.75
|3.51
|-
|10
| style="text-align:left" |Uttarakhand
|54.64 
|3.16
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total of top 10 states
|1467.00
|84.75
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Others
|264.01
|15.25
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total
|1731.01
|100
|}{{col-end}}

==World Heritage Sites==
{{Main|List of World Heritage Sites in India|l1=List of World Heritage Sites in India|Tourism in India by state}}

There are 42 [[World Heritage Site]]s in India that are recognised by the [[UNESCO|United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO) as of August 
2023.<ref name=India>{{cite web |url= https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in |title= Properties Inscribed on the World heritage List |publisher= UNESCO |access-date= 1 October 2010 |archive-date= 2 May 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200152/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/world-heritage-day-five-must-visit-sites-in-india/article1-1338551.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419163624/http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/world-heritage-day-five-must-visit-sites-in-india/article1-1338551.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2015|title=World Heritage Day: Five must-visit sites in India}}</ref>

== Responsible tourism in India ==

=== Elephant camps ===
Riding elephants is a popular tourist activity in India. While the total number of [[elephant]]s 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>{{Cite web |last=Hamdi |first=Raini |date=2019-12-12 |title=The Complicated Business of Saving Elephant Tourism: A Skift Deep Dive |url=https://skift.com/2019/12/12/the-complicated-business-of-saving-elephant-tourism-a-skift-deep-dive/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Skift |language=en-US}}</ref>), tourists will still have opportunities to ride elephants at historic sites and watch captive elephants perform in sports and shows<ref>{{Cite news |title=Elephant polo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/elephant-polo/articleshow/24376099.cms |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and religious rituals.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-28 |title=Kerala: India temple replaces elephant with robot for rituals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-64740853 |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In early 2019, several prominent [[Sustainable tourism|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 – The Travel Association|ABTA]]) updated its animal welfare guidelines, labelling elephant riding as unacceptable.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-18 |title=Elephant rides and bathing now 'unacceptable' in latest UK travel association guidelines |url=https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/news/elephant-rides-and-bathing-now-unacceptable-latest-uk-travel-association-guidelines/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=World Animal Protection Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
===Astrotourism===
{{main|Astrotourism in India}}
Tourism of astronomical [[Observatory|observatories]] and [[planetarium]]s is increasing [[Astrotourism in India|in India]] as of 2025, with the [[Indian Astronomical Observatory]] in [[Hanle (village)|Hanle]], [[Ladakh]] and other [[dark-sky preserve]]s in the [[Himalayas]], as well as sites in the [[Andaman Islands]] becoming popular destinations.<ref name="prih1">{{cite web | last=Ramesh | first=Sandhya | title=India’s new tourism boom is in the sky. Uttarakhand to Andamans, stargazing on the rise | website=ThePrint | date=5 June 2023 | url=https://theprint.in/the-fineprint/indias-new-tourism-boom-is-in-the-sky-uttarakhand-to-andamans-stargazing-on-the-rise/1611317/ | access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia_23823853">{{Cite news |date=2025-09-14 |title=Forget city lights! These Astro-tourism destinations in India will blow your mind |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/destinations/forget-city-lights-these-astro-tourism-destinations-in-india-will-blow-your-mind/photostory/123823853.cms?picid=123823865 |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Society}}
* [[Economy of India]]
* [[Aviation in India]]
* [[Fishing in India]]
* [[Tourism in India by state]]
* [[Aerial lift in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<!-- <ref name="wef-ttcr-2013">{{cite web|title=WEF Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index|year=2013|publisher=World Economic Forum|url=http://www.weforum.org/reports/travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2013|access-date=8 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106092306/http://www.weforum.org/reports/travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2013|archive-date=6 November 2013}}</ref> -->
<ref name="AnnualReport2017–18">{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2017–18 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreports/Annual%20Report2017-18.pdf |pages=27 |publisher=[[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism, Government of India]] |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150832/http://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreports/Annual%20Report2017-18.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
* [[S. P. Gupta|Gupta, S. P.]], and Krishna Lal. 1974. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YNC1AAAAIAAJ Tourism, museums, and monuments in India]. Delhi: Oriental Publishers.
*{{cite book |last1=Goldberg |first1=Kory |last2=Decary |first2=Michelle |title=The Meditator's Companion to Pilgrimage in the Buddha's India and Nepal |date=2013|publisher=Pariyatti Publishing |isbn= 9781938754555|pages=455|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=98_HDwAAQBAJ |access-date=18 January 2025 }} (First Edition 2009)

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{Wikivoyage|India}}
*[http://www.tourism.gov.in/ Ministry of Tourism, India]
*[https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ Visa on Arrival], Government of India
*[https://www.gujarattourism.com/ Gujarat Tourism Official], Government Website
*[http://www.jktourism.jk.gov.in/ Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Official] Government website
*[https://himachaltourism.gov.in/ Himachal Pradesh Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://punjabtourism.gov.in/ Punjab Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://haryanatourism.gov.in/ Haryana Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/index.jsp Delhi Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/ Rajasthan Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://www.uptourism.gov.in/ Uttar Pradesh Tourism], Government of India
*[https://www.karnatakatourism.org/ Karnataka Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://www.tourism.mp.gov.in/ Madhya Pradesh Tourism Official] Government website
*[https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/ Maharashtra Tourism Official] Government website
*[http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/ Telangana Tourism Official], Government of India
*[https://aptourism.gov.in/ Andhra Pradesh Tourism Official], Government of India
* Bradnock, Roma (2004). [https://books.google.com/books?id=nWKaR6LbEGcC Footprint India] Footprint Travel Guides, Bath, UK. {{ISBN|1-904777-00-7}}.
* DeBruyn, Pippa; Bain, Keith; Venkatraman, Niloufer (2010). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=qG-9cwHOcCIC Frommer's India]''.
* {{cite news |title=India in One, Two or Three Weeks |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/travel/through-indias-desert-cities-three-itineraries.html?smid=FB-nytimes&WT.mc_id=TR-E-FB-SM-LIN-II1-032812-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 March 2012  }}
* India's most famous tourism "[https://www.reddit.com/r/delhi/comments/1kef5lz/golden_triangle_tour_packages_an_introduction/ Golden Triangle Tour Packages]"

{{Tourism in India}}
{{Economy of India}}
{{Tourism in Asia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tourism In India}}
[[Category:Tourism in India| ]]