India’s tourism economy is now among the world’s biggest, ranked 8th globally (WTTC 2024), with a total size of approximately ₹19.2 lakh crore in 2024–25. But unlike many top countries, India’s tourism is powered mostly by domestic travel, not international visitors.
Top 8 Countries by Tourism Economy (2024)
Rank
Country
Tourism GDP (in ₹ crore)
Dominant Tourism Type
1
USA
₹1,96,000,000 crore
Domestic-led
2
China
₹1,08,000,000 crore
Domestic-led
3
Germany
₹40,000,000 crore
Balanced
4
Japan
₹24,600,000 crore
Domestic-led
5
UK
₹24,500,000 crore
International-heavy
6
France
₹21,970,000 crore
International-heavy
7
Mexico
₹21,730,000 crore
International-heavy
8
India
₹19,230,000 crore
Mostly domestic
India: Domestic vs International Tourism Split
Component
Value (approx)
% of Total Tourism
Domestic tourism
₹16.9 lakh crore
88%
International tourism
₹2.3 lakh crore
12%
Domestic trips in 2022: 1.7 billion trips
India has one of the highest domestic tourism volumes in the world
Comparison – Domestic vs International Tourism Share
Country
Domestic Share
International Share
India
88%
12%
USA
~75–80%
20–25%
China
~85–90%
10–15%
France
~45%
55% international
Mexico
~40%
60% international
UK
~55%
45%
India, China, and the US are domestic-heavy economies, while France, Mexico, and UK rely much more on international tourism.
Religious Tourism in India (Spiritual Economy)
Revenue (2022): ₹1.34 lakh crore
Share of total tourism: ~7% by value, but over 60% by trip volume
Projected by 2028: ₹4.9 lakh crore
Top pilgrimage hubs:
Ayodhya (Ram Mandir)
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (Varanasi)
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Vaishno Devi, Golden Temple, Bodh Gaya
Kumbh Mela 2025 (Allahabad/Prayagraj) is expected to generate ₹1.2 lakh crore in 45 days alone!
Medical, Eco & Adventure Tourism
Segment
Approx Value (2024)
Highlights
Medical tourism
~₹58,000 crore
Patients from Bangladesh, Africa, ME
Eco-tourism
₹25,000–30,000 crore
National parks, tiger reserves, forests
Adventure tourism
Growing fast
Himalayas, Northeast, Andamans, Uttarakhand
India’s Tourism Growth Over the Years
Year
Rank
Total Tourism Economy (₹ crore)
2013
12th
₹10 lakh crore
2016
10th
₹13.3 lakh crore
2019
9th
₹16.1 lakh crore
2022
10th
₹14.7 lakh crore
2024
8th
₹19.2 lakh crore
Government Support & Reforms
PRASHAD Scheme: Spiritual circuit development
Swadesh Darshan: Thematic tourism circuits
Dekho Apna Desh: Promoting domestic tourism
e-Visa: Available for citizens from 160+ countries
National Tourism Policy 2023: Digital, sustainable, rural focus
What Lies Ahead?
Year
Projected Tourism GDP (₹ crore)
Rank Target
2028
₹33–35 lakh crore
Top 5 globally
2030
₹40–42 lakh crore
Likely Top 5
Jobs Supported
~5.3 crore (53 million) by 2030
Summary in Indian Context
Current size: ₹19.2 lakh crore (8th largest globally)
India’s greatest strength lies in its huge internal travel base, cultural diversity, and infrastructure push. The next frontier is boosting foreign tourist spending, where India still lags behind countries like France and Mexico.
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