18-07-2025
Government aims to raise share of tourism in economy to 10%: Union Minister Shekhawat
The government is committed to raising the contribution of tourism in the country's economy to 10 per cent by 2047, in line with global levels, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Friday
He said that at present, the tourism sector contributes between 5-6 per cent to India's economy.
'The growth in India's economy is expected to double every 8 years. Today, the size of our economy is $4 trillion, and it is likely to reach close to $32 trillion by 2047. When the economy reaches around $32 trillion, our commitment is that the contribution of tourism should become 10 per cent, which would be equivalent to the global parameters. This is inevitable,' Shekhawat said in his address at CII YiFi Entrepreneurship Summit 2025.
He said the tourism sector in the country is going to witness a compounded annual growth rate of 24 per cent.
The minister said that every state in India, with its rich diversity and unique cultural identity, offers varied experiences to tourists from around the world.
He said that nearly a decade ago, the biggest challenge to the development of tourism in the country was inadequate infrastructure, he said.
'The Narendra Modi-led government has addressed infrastructure in such a manner that it has opened a wide horizon for the growth of tourism in our country,' Shekhawat said.
He said in the last one year, close to one crore global tourists have arrived in India. This number may look smaller as compared to the number of tourists visiting countries such as Thailand (4 crore), Switzerland (3 crore) and Dubai (2.5 crore), annually. However, unlike India, these new tourist destinations have zero potential to attract domestic tourists.
He stated that when it comes to spiritual tourism, India has no competition.
The minister also emphasised that while the sector should focus on growth, it should be done in a sustainable manner.
