Summary:
- India received 9.95 million foreign tourists in 2024, up from 9.52 million in 2023.
- U.S. led India’s inbound and outbound travel in 2024 with 1.8 million American visitors.
- The UAE was the top overseas destination for Indians, hosting 7.7 million travelers.
THE U.S EMERGED as India’s largest inbound tourism market in 2024, sending 1.8 million visitors, according to the India’s Ministry of Tourism. The U.S. also ranked among the top destinations for Indian travelers, welcoming more than 2.1 million visits last year.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said these figures signal strong momentum in both inbound and outbound travel, The Tribune reported.
India received a total of 99,51,722 foreign tourists in 2024, up from 95,20,928 in 2023 and 64,37,467 in 2022. Bangladesh followed the U.S. in inbound arrivals with 17,50,165 visitors, while the United Kingdom ranked third with 10,22,587.
On the outbound side, more than 30 million Indians traveled abroad in 2024, the report said.
Bureau of Immigration data showed the UAE as the most popular destination, attracting 7.7 million visitors from India, followed by Saudi Arabia with 34,23,711 and the United States with 21,43,909.
Earlier in July, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh outlined plans to further strengthen India’s tourism profile through global trade fairs, roadshows, B2B meetings, familiarization trips and digital campaigns.
Rubix Data Sciences projected India’s hospitality industry will grow steadily despite regional tensions, with revenue reaching $12.8 billion by 2027.
