Summary:
- India’s foreign tourist arrivals fell to 1.65 million in the second quarter.
- Decline driven by fewer arrivals from Bangladesh, seasonal trends and geopolitical factors.
- Ministry of Tourism is promoting India as a global tourism destination.
INDIA’S FOREIGN TOURIST arrivals fell to 1.65 million in the second quarter from 2.62 million in the first quarter, before rising slightly in the third quarter, according to government data. The decline was driven mainly by fewer visitors from Bangladesh, seasonal travel trends and the global geopolitical climate.
Combined FTAs for the first three quarters this year totaled 6.18 million, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written Lok Sabha reply, according to The Economic Times.
The minister also shared quarter-wise FTAs up to September: 2.62 million in the first quarter, 1.65 million in the second and 1.92 million in the third.
"The decline in Foreign Tourist Arrivals is mainly due to decline in arrival from Bangladesh and several other factors, including seasonal variations in travel patterns, the prevailing geopolitical scenario and other country-specific dynamics affecting outbound travel," Shekhawat said.
However, Shekhawat said the Ministry of Tourism has taken steps to promote India as a global tourism destination.
He said that the ministry, through schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development, also provides financial support to states, Union Territories and central agencies for tourism infrastructure and facilities across the country.
The Ministry recently announced plans to launch City MICE Bureaus nationwide in 2026, working with states and industry partners to position Indian cities as global event destinations.
