Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India Surged by 166%

Over 300M tourists traveled in Q1 2025, outpacing pre-COVID levels despite economic, political tensions.

The Indian tourism industry has received a much-needed boost as foreign tourist arrivals during the January-April period of 2023 soared by an impressive 166% compared to the same period in 2022. This surge in tourist numbers is a positive sign for the Indian tourism industry, which has been striving to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE FACTORS

Several factors contribute to the increase in foreign tourist arrivals. The easing of travel restrictions, India’s growing reputation as a sought-after tourist destination, and the country’s robust economy are key factors driving this upward trend. The Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy highlighted these achievements during his address at the fourth G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting.

Reddy stated that foreign tourist arrivals in India this year during the January-April period have experienced a remarkable 166% growth compared to the corresponding period in 2022. He further expressed confidence that India’s inbound travel will reach pre-pandemic levels in 2023.

He expressed his delight that the concluding meeting of the TWG was being held in Goa, emphasizing that India is hosting over 200 G20 meetings across the country. He highlighted the positive impact these meetings have on the tourism sector and emphasized the philosophy of ‘AtithiDevoBhav’ (Guest is God), with the aim of making G20 delegates ambassadors of India.

TOURISM WORKING GROUP

During the TWG meeting, discussions centred on sustainable tourism, climate change, and other relevant subjects. As India currently chairs the G20, the central government has prioritized sustainable infrastructure development to meet the growing needs of tourists. Additionally, the government aims to raise awareness among tourists about responsible consumption and the adoption of environmentally conscious lifestyles. The launch of the “G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard” contributes to these goals, promoting policies and initiatives by G20 and guest countries for a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.

A thematic discussion on making India a hub for cruise tourism was also held in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) during the event.

ROADMAP

At the conclusion of the fourth Tourism Working Group Meeting and the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting, a Goa Roadmap and Action Plan, along with a ministerial communiqué endorsing the roadmap, will be issued. These outcomes aim to support the development of a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.

The Goa Roadmap and Action Plan, along with the ministerial communiqué, will play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals through tourism. The Indian G20 Tourism Track’s priorities encompass green tourism, digitization, skills, tourism MSMEs, and destination development. These priorities form the foundation for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector and achieving the targets for the 2030 SDGs.

The G20 Tourism Working Group meetings have been held at various locations in India, including Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Siliguri, and Darjeeling in West Bengal, and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.

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