India witnessed a significant boost in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, recording a 47.90% increase compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Bureau of Immigration. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, revealed the figures in a written statement to the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The country welcomed 9.52 million foreign tourists in 2023, reflecting a robust recovery in global travel post-pandemic. Of this, 4.40 million arrivals were for leisure, holiday, and recreation purposes, registering an impressive 86.96% growth over 2022. Foreign tourists visiting India for business and professional reasons totalled 0.98 million, marking a 49.66% rise from the previous year.
Foreign tourist arrivals have now recovered to 87.1% of pre-pandemic levels, closely aligning with the global recovery rate of 88.8%, and significantly surpassing the Asia-Pacific region’s recovery rate of 65.4%.
The surge in FTAs is attributed to the post-pandemic revival of international travel and India’s growing reputation as a diverse and culturally rich destination. Enhanced air connectivity, improved tourism infrastructure, and targeted marketing campaigns have played a crucial role in making India a preferred destination for global travellers.
The Ministry of Tourism has implemented various initiatives to support this growth, including the development of tourism infrastructure through schemes like ‘Swadesh Darshan,’ ‘PRASHAD,’ and financial assistance to states for tourism development. The Ministry also promotes India’s tourism offerings through campaigns such as ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Chalo India,’ along with events like the International Tourism Mart and Bharat Parv.
In addition to these efforts, India has expanded its tourism appeal through niche sectors like wellness tourism, culinary tourism, and eco-tourism. Further measures include capacity-building programs like the ‘Incredible India Tourist Facilitator’ (IITF) and collaborations with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve air connectivity under the RCS-UDAN scheme, which has operationalized 53 tourism routes.
India’s e-Visa scheme, which is available to citizens of 167 countries across nine categories, including e-Tourist, e-Business, and e-Medical visas, has further streamlined the entry process for foreign visitors, contributing to the rise in FTAs.
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