Tourism’s contribution to the Indian economy has also increased (Photo: MIG)
India’s tourism sector has recorded a sharp post-pandemic recovery, with domestic tourist visits rising to 4.29 billion in 2025, from 677 million in 2021, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
In a press statement, the Ministry of Tourism says that foreign tourist visits also increased during the period, from about 10 million in 2021 to 25.3 million in 2025.
The statement adds that the recovery has been accompanied by higher tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. These rose from INR 639.78 billion in 2021 to INR 2.76 trillion in 2025.
Tourism’s contribution to the Indian economy has also increased. The latest Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) estimates put the sector’s contribution at 5.22 pc of national GDP. Employment in tourism-related activities rose from 69.4 million in 2019-20 to 84.6 million in 2023-24.
The ministry says that the expansion reflects the sector’s contribution to livelihoods as well as economic activity.
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Cruise tourism has also expanded. Sea cruise passenger traffic increased from 108,000 in 2014-15 to 462,000 in 2025-26, a 328 pc increase. International cruise terminals in Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and Chennai have been upgraded and operationalised, while Puducherry has been added to the East Coast Cruise Circuit.
India has also expanded its electronic visa system. Introduced in 2014 for nationals of 43 countries, e-Visa is now available to citizens of 172 countries. Entry under the system is permitted through 88 international ports, comprising 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports, says the statement.
The ministry says that around 78 pc of visas issued by India are now electronic visas, with approximately 95 pc of e-Visa applications processed within 72 hours.
