India: international tourist arrivals | Statista (2024)

FAQs

How many international tourists visit India? ›

According to the Ministry of Tourism, over 6.19 million and 1.52 million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93 million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.

India is experiencing what Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of travel and bookings website Agoda, calls a tourism “boom,” and is currently “the biggest growing outbound destination.” While the total number of travelers coming from some other countries is higher, no nation's tourism sector is growing as fast as India's, he adds.

France. France tops the chart of the most visited country in the world with over 72.4 million visitors!

France has been the world's most visited country for several years, with a record-breaking 89 million international tourist arrivals in 2019. The country's tourism industry is a significant contributor to its economy, accounting for 7.4% of its GDP and providing employment to over 2 million people.

The United States of America was the largest source of foreign tourists arriving to India in 2022 at over 1,373 thousand visitors. American tourists have been outnumbering the tourists that visit the country from other European and South Asian countries in 2022.

The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse geography, and historical landmarks, which attract tourists from all over the world. Additionally, India is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, exotic wildlife, and adventure tourism opportunities.

In 2022, the state with the highest number of foreign tourists in India was Gujarat, with over 1.7 million visits. In the same year, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in India was around 6.19 million.

According to data from Booking.com and Statista, the United Arab Emirates was the leading destination for Indian tourists in 2022, attracting a staggering 5.89 million visitors in a year, VisaGuide. World reports.

Issues with Infrastructure

Many tourist spots across the country lack basic amenities, cleanliness, and maintenance. Moreover, poor transport connectivity and lack of international standard hotels and resorts in many places make it difficult for international tourists to enjoy a comfortable stay.

Why are so many foreigners visiting India? ›

India is a fascinating and vibrant country with much to offer visitors that offers any traveler a unique and unforgettable experience. With its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and friendly people, it is no wonder that so many people choose to visit India every year.

First and foremost ...the country is very safe and tourist friendly. At major tourist destinations all tourists whether Indian or International ...be it from west or east, are treated with equal respect and you will find a lot of people who are eager to help international tourists.

Most Visited Countries in the World 2024

Bangkok has over 22 million foreign tourists annually, making it the most visited city worldwide.

Table 5 depicts that USA earned highest receipts from international tourism i.e. 11.96% among top ten countries in the world whereas India earned a very meager share 1.61% from international tourism.

India ranks 9th out of all G20 countries, signalling that although the travel and tourism sector is well established, ongoing developments in policy, tourist infrastructure, safety, health, technology adaptation, and environmental sustainability continue to hold potential for improvement.