India's Tourism Sector Surges: $3.1 Trillion in International Spending Reported by WTTC, ET TravelWorld
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Travel jobs set to surpass 370 million worldwide: WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects international visitor spending will hit a record USD2.1 trillion in 2025, signalling continued global growth despite economic headwinds. The sector is expected to contribute USD11.7 trillion to global GDP and support 371 million jobs. However, recovery remains uneven across regions, with markets like the US and China showing slower growth compared to surging destinations such as Saudi Arabia, France, and Spain. See More Details
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In a landmark rebound for India's travel and tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that international visitor spending in India soared to an all-time high of ₹3.1 trillion in 2024 — a 9% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This record-breaking surge not only reaffirms India's position as a top global destination but also signals a turning point in the country's tourism recovery, once heavily reliant on domestic travel.After years of pandemic-induced disruption, the latest WTTC Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows a robust return of international travel. India welcomed 20 million foreign tourists in 2024, surpassing 2019 figures by 2.3 million. With visitor spending reaching ₹3.1 trillion (USD 36.8 billion), up from ₹2.8 trillion in 2019, this influx highlights rising global confidence in India's travel ecosystem and the diverse appeal of its destinations — from spiritual and wellness tourism to luxury and experiential travel.Projections for 2025 are even stronger, with international visitor spending expected to touch ₹3.2 trillion, bolstered by increasing air connectivity, digital visa systems, and rising global interest in India's heritage and natural assets.While international arrivals make headlines, domestic tourism continues to be the pillar of India's travel economy. In 2024, domestic visitor spending hit a staggering ₹15.5 trillion (USD 185.6 billion), 22% higher than 2019 levels. This growth is expected to rise further to ₹16.8 trillion in 2025, driven by younger demographics, increased disposable incomes, and a stronger post-pandemic preference for local exploration.According to the report, domestic tourists contributed nearly 84% of the total visitor spending in 2024, underscoring their foundational role in the country's tourism resilience.India's total Travel & Tourism GDP contribution in 2024 stood at ₹20.9 trillion (USD 249.3 billion), a 20% jump over 2019, accounting for approximately 6.6% of the national economy. WTTC forecasts a further rise to ₹22.5 trillion (USD 268.7 billion) in 2025. By 2035, the sector is expected to nearly double to ₹41.9 trillion (USD 501.1 billion), contributing an estimated 10.9% to the national GDP.Such growth trajectories are expected to be powered by both tourism-driven infrastructure projects — including smart mobility, high-speed rail, and airport expansions — and the rise of small and medium tourism enterprises.Tourism also emerged as a crucial employment generator, supporting a record 46.5 million jobs in 2024 — 9.1% of total employment in India. WTTC anticipates this figure to surpass 48 million in 2025 and climb to nearly 64 million by 2035.This job creation comes at a time when automation and AI are altering traditional employment landscapes. The tourism sector, which demands human-centric services, thus offers significant employment opportunities across demographics and geographies.A noteworthy insight from the WTTC report is the revival of business travel. India's combined domestic and international business travel spending in 2024 hit ₹1.1 trillion — exceeding 2019 levels by 2.6%. As India continues to be a hub for global trade, innovation, and startup activity, this segment is expected to play an increasingly important role in travel recovery.Despite these encouraging trends, WTTC has raised concerns over recent reductions in government funding for overseas tourism promotion. Julia Simpson , President & CEO of WTTC, called for renewed policy attention.'India's Travel & Tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth… but visa delays and underinvestment in promotion could hinder long-term momentum," she said.Simpson especially highlighted the need for simplification of India's e-visa and visa-on-arrival processes, pointing to prolonged delays in markets like the US, where appointments remain unavailable until 2026.Making it easier to visit India is one of the fastest ways to unlock further international arrivals and spending,' she added.To bolster advocacy and streamline tourism policies, WTTC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Travel & Tourism Council – India Initiative (WTTCII). The partnership is designed to enhance India's global tourism voice by combining WTTC's international influence with WTTCII's domestic networks.This collaboration will focus on aligning India's tourism priorities with international benchmarks, strengthening sustainability practices, and building a unified policy framework to support the sector's rapid growth.With India projected to become one of the world's top three tourism economies by 2035, the WTTC report paints a hopeful picture. The combination of rising domestic demand, record-setting international arrivals, and strategic industry-government partnerships places India at a unique vantage point in global tourism.However, sustaining this growth will require targeted investment in tourism infrastructure, tech-enabled services, and global marketing — areas that will determine whether India can fully realise its ambition of being a tourism powerhouse in the years to come.
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