Boasting a tapestry of cultural, historical, and vibrant heritage alongside natural wonders, India serves as an alluring tourist destination for visitors. From the hilly beauty of snow-covered Himalayan heights to the aromatic and wellness gateway in the south, the Indian tourism sector is underscored by vibrant tea farms in the east and majestic national parks and sanctuaries in the west with pristine beaches.
With a 43.5% growth in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 (January-December), the tourism and hospitality sector has witnessed contemporary infrastructural developments while sustaining the traditional bequest in recent years. Ranking 39th in the global Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) in 2024, the tourism and hospitality sector is one of the largest service sectors and serves as a pillar for employment generation that aims to generate 53 Mn jobs by 2029. With 43 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the country received foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) of INR 2.31 Lakh Cr in 2023, showcasing the growing prospects of the tourism and hospitality sector. With recent developments in the hospitality infrastructure, the segment envisages directly contributing $3 Tn to the country’s GDP by 2047. Interlinking the crafts of local artisans, handicraft workers, tour guides, etc., in order to attract foreign tourists, the sector fuels the economic growth of these communities.
To power the sustainable imperatives in the tourism sector, the country has launched various initiatives, such as 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0', to encourage a greener path that balances development and environmental concerns. The Government of India has also launched various schemes and policies to assist the agencies in tourism infrastructure development. Furthermore, e-visa facilities have been liberalized, providing the e-visa facility in 7 sub-categories for nationals of 167 countries. To improve air connectivity to tourist destinations, the RCS-UDAN Scheme at 579 tourism routes has also been operationalized, which aims to develop a robust mode of mobility in the country. India is committed to expanding the avenues of the tourism and hospitality sector through thematic tourism like wellness, culinary tourism, eco-tourism, etc. India offers vast opportunities in the sector to explore investment paths while dispensing transformative experiences of the rich ethos of the country’s multicultural attractions.
(Source: https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/tourism-hospitality)