Lok Sabha Question No. 3746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Boosting in India's Image among Foreign Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3746 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## BOOSTING IN INDIA'S IMAGE AMONG FOREIGN TOURISTS

## 3746. DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the trends in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during the last five years, year-wise along with its contribution in country's GDP;
- (b) the  details  of  the  regions  or  States  in  India  have  recorded  the highest FTAs and the factors which contributed to their popularity among foreign tourists;
- (c) the  details  of  the  partnerships  with  global  tourism  boards  to promote India as a preferred destination for Niche tourism such as adventure and wellness tourism;
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to promote lesser-known destinations to attract foreign tourists and ensure balanced regional tourism growth; and
- (e) the details of the contribution of the international tourism fairs and roadshows in boosting India's image among foreign travellers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM       (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): The Foreign  Tourist  Arrivals  (FTAs)  in  India  during  the  last  five years  has  been  showing  an  overall  increasing  trend.  There  is  a corresponding increase in contribution of the tourism sector in country's
- GDP. Year-wise details of FTA and Tourism GDP are Annexed.
- (b): The Bureau of Immigration captures and provides the information on foreign tourist arrivals to the Ministry of Tourism at the national level. Regional or State level bifurcation of this figure is not available.

However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  compiles  the  data  on  Foreign

Tourist Visits to different States/UTs through the data supplied by the Sates and Union Territories. As per the 2024 data, the following five states have reported the highest number of Foreign Tourist Visits:

1. Maharashtra
2. West Bengal
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Gujarat
5. Rajasthan

(c): The  Ministry of Tourism  engages  with  several  international organizations  such  as  UNWTO,  ASEAN,  G20,  BRICS,  and  PATA  to enhance global ties and shape tourism policies. Currently, there are 46 valid  Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoUs)  in  place  for  bilateral  and multilateral cooperation in the field of tourism. (d): Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  various  tourist  destinations  and products of the country including lesser-known destinations in domestic and  international  markets  through  its  various  promotional  initiatives such  as  website,  social  media  promotions,  participation  in  events, assistance to State Governments for organizing fairs and festivals, etc. (e): The Ministry of Tourism regularly participates in major International  Travel  Fairs  and  Exhibitions  such  as  World  Travel  Mart (WTM) in London, FITUR in Madrid, and ITB Berlin to showcase India's varied  tourism  products,  including  niche  segments  like  wellness  and adventure. These events reinforce the "Incredible India" brand, enhance global visibility, and facilitate B2B meetings with foreign tour operators and stakeholders to boost inbound tourism.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3746 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 REGARDING BOOSTING IN  INDIA'S  IMAGE  AMONG  FOREIGN  TOURISTS  RAISED  BY  DR.  D. PURANDESWARI

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India from 2020 to 2024:

|   Year | FTAs      |
|--------|-----------|
|   2020 | 27,44,766 |
|   2021 | 15,27,114 |
|   2022 | 64,37,467 |
|   2023 | 95,20,928 |
|   2024 | 99,51,722 |

Source: Bureau of Immigration

Tourism GDP (direct and indirect) in Rs Lakhs and Percentage share in country's GDP:

| Financial Year   |   Tourism GDP |   Percentage share |
|------------------|---------------|--------------------|
| 2019-20          |     104098995 |                5.2 |
| 2020-21          |      29617002 |                1.5 |
| 2021-22          |      41098373 |                1.7 |
| 2022-23          |     136833610 |                5.1 |
| 2023-24          |     157372988 |                5.2 |

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