India’s international tourism spending surges past three point one trillion rupees

International tourist spendingsoared to an all-time high of ₹3.1 trillion, outpacing the previous record set in 2019 by 9%.

At the same time, domestic travel continued its upward momentum, with spending reaching ₹15.5 trillion, a remarkable 22% increase from pre-pandemic levels.

These figures combined to give the Travel & Tourism industry a total contribution of almost ₹21 trillion to the national economy—20% higher than in 2019.

This extraordinary surge not only reflects the sector’s resilience after the pandemic but also highlights its growing influence as a central pillar in India’s economic recovery and long-term development.

One of the most significant impacts of this growth has been on employment. The tourism industry supported a record-breaking 46.5 million jobs in 2024, accounting for 9.1% of all employment across India.

The increase in job creation across hospitality, travel services, and allied sectors illustrates how tourism is becoming a key tool in addressing the country’s employment challenges.

India’s continued progress in streamlining the e-visa system has been acknowledged as a major facilitator of tourism growth.

Making it easier for international visitors to enter the country has helped encourage spending and longer stays.

However, obstacles persist—visa processing delays, particularly for travelers from key markets like the United States, are seen as a bottleneck.

With some appointments unavailable until 2026, industry stakeholders stress the urgent need for quicker, more efficient visa procedures to sustain the momentum.

While leisure travel has dominated the headlines, business travel has also made a strong comeback. Spending by corporate travelers—both domestic and international—reached ₹1.1 trillion, a 2.6% rise compared to 2019.

The uptick signals India’s rising status as a global business destination, with cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad becoming hubs for international conferences, trade fairs, and corporate events.

Forecasts for 2025 and beyond paint an even brighter picture. The sector is expected to contribute more than ₹22 trillion to the Indian economy next year.

Employment is also projected to grow, reaching 48 million jobs in 2025. If this trajectory continues, by 2035, the tourism industry could add a staggering ₹42 trillion to the national economy and support close to 64 million jobs.