Fueled by a staggering 42 million jobs, India's travel industry isn't just growing—it's building the very backbone of the nation's economy, promising an exciting future for every traveler and investor.
Key Takeaways
- India's travel and tourism sector directly contributed 3.9% to national GDP in 2019, amounting to approximately USD 121.7 billion
- The total contribution of travel and tourism to India's employment was 39.5 million jobs in 2019, representing 8.0% of total employment
- Domestic visitor spending in India's tourism sector reached INR 2.3 trillion in 2023
- Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India increased by 25.5% to 9.2 million in 2023
- FTAs from USA to India grew 34% to 1.78 million in 2023
- Bangladesh contributed 2.5 million FTAs to India in 2023
- Domestic Tourist Visits (DTV) in India reached 2.32 billion in 2022
- DTVs to Rajasthan were 82 million in 2023
- Uttar Pradesh recorded 318 million DTVs in 2023
- India's hotel room supply increased by 4.5% to 1.87 lakh rooms in 2023
- Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in India rose 10% to INR 6,500 in 2023
- RevPAR in Indian hotels grew 15% to INR 4,700 in 2023
- India's sustainable hotels certified numbered 500 in 2023
- EV charging stations at hotels reached 2,500 in India by 2023
- Zero-waste tourism initiatives covered 150 destinations in 2023
India's travel industry is thriving with significant economic contributions and strong growth projections.
Domestic Travel
- Domestic Tourist Visits (DTV) in India reached 2.32 billion in 2022
- DTVs to Rajasthan were 82 million in 2023
- Uttar Pradesh recorded 318 million DTVs in 2023
- Andhra Pradesh DTVs stood at 199 million in 2023
- Maharashtra saw 271 million DTVs in 2023
- Tamil Nadu DTVs were 142 million in 2023
- Karnataka recorded 143 million DTVs in 2023
- Gujarat DTVs reached 212 million in 2023
- Kerala saw 21 million DTVs in 2023
- Himachal Pradesh DTVs were 120 million in 2023
- Uttarakhand recorded 45 million DTVs in 2023
- Goa DTVs stood at 98 million in 2023
- West Bengal saw 72 million DTVs in 2023
- Punjab DTVs were 56 million in 2023
- Jammu & Kashmir recorded 2.1 crore DTVs in 2023
- Northeast states combined DTVs reached 45 million in 2023
- Average annual DTV growth rate post-pandemic was 20% till 2023
- 65% of domestic tourists traveled by road in India in 2023
- Domestic air passenger traffic within India was 1.5 billion in FY2024
- Rail tourist passengers in India numbered 1.2 billion in 2023
- 48% of DTVs were for religious purposes in 2023
- Leisure accounted for 32% of domestic trips in India 2023
- Average spend per domestic tourist was INR 5,200 in 2023
- Family trips made up 55% of domestic travel in India 2023
- Millennial domestic travelers comprised 42% of DTVs in 2023
- Rural domestic tourism visits grew 25% to 500 million in 2023
- Hotel occupancy for domestic guests averaged 72% in 2023
Domestic Travel Interpretation
While India's roads and railways are crammed with over two billion domestic journeys a year—nearly half for faith and over half with family, spending modestly but traveling relentlessly—the true national pastime is clearly not cricket, but logging miles to find ourselves, our gods, and a decent hotel room at 72% occupancy.
Economic Impact
- India's travel and tourism sector directly contributed 3.9% to national GDP in 2019, amounting to approximately USD 121.7 billion
- The total contribution of travel and tourism to India's employment was 39.5 million jobs in 2019, representing 8.0% of total employment
- Domestic visitor spending in India's tourism sector reached INR 2.3 trillion in 2023
- Travel and tourism investment in India stood at INR 2.3 trillion in 2022, projected to rise to INR 4.7 trillion by 2032
- India's tourism sector generated USD 28.1 billion in international visitor exports in 2019
- The sector's indirect GDP contribution in India was 10.7% or USD 217.9 billion in 2023 projections
- Leisure travel spending by domestic households in India was INR 1.8 lakh crore in FY2023
- Business travel spending in India's tourism industry totaled INR 1.2 lakh crore in 2023
- India's travel sector capital investment grew by 12.5% YoY to reach USD 4.2 billion in 2023
- Tourism receipts as a percentage of India's total exports were 5.8% in 2022
- The multiplier effect of tourism spending in India generated INR 2.5 for every INR 1 spent in 2021
- India's hospitality sector revenue reached INR 85,000 crore in FY2023
- Travel and tourism's share in India's service exports was 7.2% valued at USD 25 billion in 2023
- Government spending on tourism promotion in India was INR 2,150 crore in FY2023 budget
- India's MICE tourism generated INR 45,000 crore in revenue in 2023
- Tourism FDI inflows into India totaled USD 2.8 billion from 2000-2023
- The sector supported 8.2% of India's total employment with 42 million jobs in 2023
- Personal travel spending in India rose 25% to INR 3.2 trillion in 2023
- India's tourism GDP growth was forecasted at 7.8% annually till 2033
- Capital investment in T&T in India expected to reach 2.3% of total investment by 2033
- Domestic tourism expenditure grew 18.4% YoY to INR 2,321 billion in 2022
- International tourism receipts in India were USD 2.3 billion in FY2023
- Hospitality industry revenue CAGR projected at 12% from 2023-2028 in India
- Travel retail market in India valued at USD 5.2 billion in 2023
- Aviation sector contribution to India's GDP was 2.6% or USD 36 billion in 2023
- India's tourism sector tax revenue contribution was INR 1.9 lakh crore in 2023 est.
- Online travel bookings generated USD 12 billion in GMV for India in 2023
- Rural tourism initiatives contributed INR 15,000 crore to local economies in 2023
- Adventure tourism market size in India was USD 1.2 billion in 2023
- Wellness tourism revenue in India reached USD 19 billion in 2023
Economic Impact Interpretation
India's tourism sector is not merely a pleasant diversion but a formidable economic engine, quietly converting every rupee spent into a cascade of jobs, infrastructure, and global revenue that would make even the most stoic accountant crack a smile.
Hotel and Accommodation
- India's hotel room supply increased by 4.5% to 1.87 lakh rooms in 2023
- Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in India rose 10% to INR 6,500 in 2023
- RevPAR in Indian hotels grew 15% to INR 4,700 in 2023
- Luxury hotel segment occupancy reached 75% in 2023 across India
- Midscale hotels added 12,000 rooms in India in 2023
- Mumbai hotel supply grew to 18,000 rooms with 72% occupancy in 2023
- Delhi-NCR had 16,500 hotel rooms with ADR INR 7,200 in 2023
- Bengaluru hotel occupancy was 74% with 11,000 rooms in 2023
- Goa added 2,500 hotel rooms in 2023, occupancy 68%
- Jaipur saw ADR rise to INR 5,800 with 85% occupancy in peak 2023
- Budget hotel chains expanded by 15% adding 8,000 rooms in 2023
- Homestays registered 1.2 million listings in India by 2023
- Serviced apartments grew 20% to 50,000 units in metros 2023
- Resort occupancy in India averaged 70% in 2023
- New hotel signings in India totaled 97,000 keys in 2023 pipeline
- Heritage hotels in India numbered 1,200 with 65% occupancy 2023
- OYO rooms expanded to 1.5 lakh in India by 2023
- FabHotels added 5,000 properties in tier-2 cities 2023
- Hotel EBITDA margins improved to 32% in India 2023
- Online travel agencies booked 60% of hotel rooms in India 2023
- Udaipur resort ADR hit INR 12,000 in 2023 peak season
Hotel and Accommodation Interpretation
Even as India's hoteliers enthusiastically multiplied keys like rabbits, guests snapped them up just as fast, proving the nation's travel appetite is outpacing even its most ambitious room service.
International Visitors
- Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India increased by 25.5% to 9.2 million in 2023
- FTAs from USA to India grew 34% to 1.78 million in 2023
- Bangladesh contributed 2.5 million FTAs to India in 2023
- UK tourists to India numbered 1.2 million in 2023, up 28%
- Russian FTAs to India surged 142% to 340,000 in 2023
- Australia sent 450,000 tourists to India in 2023, growth of 22%
- FTAs via air to India were 8.9 million in 2023
- e-Visa FTAs accounted for 7.4 million or 80% of total FTAs in 2023
- China FTAs to India were 250,000 in 2023, up from pre-pandemic levels
- Germany contributed 800,000 FTAs to India in 2023
- France FTAs to India reached 450,000 in 2023
- Malaysia sent 650,000 tourists to India in 2023
- Singapore FTAs to India were 1.1 million in 2023
- UAE tourists to India numbered 1.4 million in 2023
- Canada FTAs to India grew to 380,000 in 2023
- Sri Lanka contributed 450,000 FTAs in 2023
- Italy FTAs to India were 320,000 in 2023, up 30%
- South Korea sent 280,000 tourists to India in 2023
- Netherlands FTAs numbered 250,000 in 2023
- Thailand contributed 1.2 million FTAs to India in 2023
- Saudi Arabia FTAs to India reached 600,000 in 2023
- Average length of stay for international tourists in India was 5.8 nights in 2023
- 42% of FTAs to India were for leisure purposes in 2023
- Medical tourism FTAs accounted for 12% or 1.1 million in 2023
- FTAs during peak season (Oct-Mar) were 6.8 million in 2023-24
- Female international tourists to India were 28% of total FTAs in 2023
- Repeat international visitors comprised 15% of FTAs in 2023
International Visitors Interpretation
Despite a surge in global interest—with America leading the charge and Russia posting dramatic gains, while 80% of visitors wisely opted for the digital ease of an e-visa—India’s travel renaissance in 2023 proved the world is finally ready for its chaotic, captivating, and unexpectedly lengthy 5.8-night average embrace.
Sustainability and Future Outlook
- India's sustainable hotels certified numbered 500 in 2023
- EV charging stations at hotels reached 2,500 in India by 2023
- Zero-waste tourism initiatives covered 150 destinations in 2023
- Carbon footprint reduction target for tourism: 45% by 2030
- Eco-tourism circuits developed under PRASHAD scheme: 20 in 2023
- Renewable energy usage in hotels: 25% by 2025 target
- Wildlife tourism visits grew 15% sustainably to 25 million in 2023
- Plastic ban in tourist sites enforced in 500 locations 2023
- Tourism sector projected to create 12 million jobs by 2030 in India
- T&T GDP contribution forecasted to reach 8.3% by 2033
- International arrivals expected to hit 30.5 million by 2030
- Domestic visits projected at 3.2 billion by 2028
- Hotel rooms to double to 3.3 lakh by 2030
- Adventure tourism market to grow at 18% CAGR to USD 4 billion by 2030
- Wellness tourism to reach USD 70 billion by 2026 in India
- MICE tourism revenue projected USD 15 billion by 2028
- Digital nomad visas expected to attract 1 million visitors by 2028
- Cruise tourism passengers to reach 2 million by 2030
- Rural tourism to contribute 20% of total tourism revenue by 2030
- AI integration in bookings to rise 40% by 2025
Sustainability and Future Outlook Interpretation
India’s tourism sector is charging towards a formidable, eco-conscious future, cleverly proving that you can indeed double your hotel rooms and GDP targets while still keeping your carbon footprint and plastic waste on a serious diet.
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