India’s drought of foreign tourist arrivals: Is there an end in sight?
3 weeks, 6 days ago

India’s drought of foreign tourist arrivals: Is there an end in sight?

Live Mint  

India, as the world’s most populous nation, teems with people. By contrast, with the peak season still ahead, Vietnam received 14.4 million foreign tourists in the first 10 months of the year. In comparison to both these popular Southeast Asian destinations, India’s better hotels look expensive partly because of a hefty 18% goods and services tax on luxury hotel bills. In Bengaluru, the world’s back office and home to multiple global capability centres, I have had only one foreign guest stay in five years and she was on a business trip. On Thursday, India’s tourism ministry released data for 2023 showing that foreign tourist arrivals were 9.5 million, while NRI/diaspora arrivals were 9.4 million.

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History of this topic

Visa waivers, luxury hotels and a hit TV show: Why Thailand is the top travel destination for 2025
2 days, 12 hours ago

Visa waivers, luxury hotels and a hit TV show: Why Thailand is the top travel destination for 2025

Hindustan Times  

Thailand saw foreign tourist arrivals jump 26% last year after the tourism-reliant nation eased entry rules and waived visas for Chinese, the largest group of visitors to the Southeast Asian country. An estimated 35.5 million tourists visited Thailand last year, up from 28.2 million in 2023, according to provisional data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The country had …

Nearly half of Indian international travellers made last-minute flight bookings in 2024: report
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Nearly half of Indian international travellers made last-minute flight bookings in 2024: report

Live Mint  

New Delhi, Dec 19 The year 2024 witnessed a rise in spontaneous travel among Indian international travellers, with nearly half of them making last-minute plans, barely less than a week before their departure, reveals a new report. While many travellers booked international flights at short notice, the report said "30 per cent of visa applications" were submitted 16-30 days before …

Mint Primer: Are foreign tourists giving India a miss?
1 month ago

Mint Primer: Are foreign tourists giving India a miss?

Live Mint  

How many foreign tourists visit India? In 2023, foreign tourist arrivals in India grew 43.5% to 9.3 million from 6.4 million in 2022. In the first half of 2024, some 4.8 million foreign tourist arrivals have been registered. In 2023, international tourism reached 89% of pre-pandemic levels and in the first half of this year, it has gone up to …

Fewer Bangladesh tourists coming to India after political upheaval: Govt data
1 month ago

Fewer Bangladesh tourists coming to India after political upheaval: Govt data

Hindustan Times  

As of August 2024, the number of Bangladesh tourists coming to India has gone down to 1.29 million from the previous 2.12 million tourists in 2023 due to the political upheaval in the country. In 2023, 2.12 million Bangladeshi tourists visited India, and as of August 2024, the number stood at 1.29 million, the Ministry of Tourism said in response …

Incredible India’s tourism target of 100 million visitors is credible if we try hard
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Incredible India’s tourism target of 100 million visitors is credible if we try hard

Live Mint  

It is a welcome development that the government is drawing up a plan to develop 100 tourism centres in the country and promote India as a tourist destination across the world. Such is the country’s tourism potential that we would not just gain a larger share of the world’s $1.5 trillion tourism receipts, but also expand the global pie. The …

More Indians than ever are going on holiday abroad—so where are they heading and why?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

More Indians than ever are going on holiday abroad—so where are they heading and why?

New Indian Express  

Ross Bennett-Cook, University of Westminster Travel is on the rise again. South Africa’s simplified visa scheme will also start in 2025, while other nations including Malaysia, Kenya, Thailand and Iran have scrapped visa requirements for Indian tourists entirely. Tour operator Thomas Cook reported in May that Indian demand for holidays in Georgia has surged by a staggering 600% year-on-year since …

For Every 10 Tourist Arrivals in India, 4 Are Women; Only 3 Indian Women Go Abroad of 10 Passengers
4 months, 1 week ago

For Every 10 Tourist Arrivals in India, 4 Are Women; Only 3 Indian Women Go Abroad of 10 Passengers

News 18  

The share of women in both inbound and outbound traffic remains below half and has not improved in the last few years, official data analysed by News18 shows. The share of women in Indian national departures ranged between 28 and 34 per cent between 2019 and 2023. In 2022, there were 2.16 crore Indian national departures, including 69.13 lakh women. …

Despite air travel boom, foreign tourist arrivals still lower than pre-Covid days
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Despite air travel boom, foreign tourist arrivals still lower than pre-Covid days

Hindustan Times  

Indian carriers are adding new destinations by the day and increasing frequencies to existing ones. With Goa as the tourist capital of India, the appeal by the prime minister to visit domestic destinations may not have yielded results as we headed into a pandemic post that call in 2019. But even as new peaks are reached in air travel, the …

India saw 92 lakh foreign tourist arrivals in 2023: Economic Survey
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India saw 92 lakh foreign tourist arrivals in 2023: Economic Survey

The Hindu  

India saw 92 lakh foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, signifying a positive post-pandemic revival, the Chief Economic Advisor has said in the Economic Survey released on July 22. The Union Tourism Ministry has initiated the Incredible India Tourism Facilitator Certificate Programme to formalise employment within the sector and aims to create a skilled cadre of tourist facilitators nationwide through a …

One million Indian tourists visited Thailand between January and June 2024
5 months, 3 weeks ago

One million Indian tourists visited Thailand between January and June 2024

The Hindu  

In a stark increase from 2023, the number of tourists from India to Thailand has crossed the one-million mark between January and June this year, according to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata. “A total of 1,04,0069 tourists from all over India visited Thailand in just the first six months of this year,” the Thai Consul-General in Kolkata Siriporn Tantipanyathep …

‘More direct international connectivity, new circuits & ease of visas will bring back the foreign tourist’
1 year ago

‘More direct international connectivity, new circuits & ease of visas will bring back the foreign tourist’

Times of India  

A reporter for over two decades, Saurabh Sinha is currently Senior Editor at The Times of India. Puneet Chhatwal, chairman of CII National Committee on Tourism and Hospitality and MD-CEO of Indian Hotel Companies Ltd, tells that though the “plot has become regional” globally, India can be among the world’s top 10 tourist magnets. What’s holding back foreign tourists from …

Foreign tourist arrivals up, still below pre-pandemic levels
1 year ago

Foreign tourist arrivals up, still below pre-pandemic levels

The Hindu  

There has been a significant increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting India in 2023 with 7.24 million footfalls till October 31 this year as compared to 6.44 million for the corresponding period in 2022. In 2018 and 2019, India has seen 10.56 million and 10.93 million foreign tourist arrivals respectively, which dipped to 2.74 million in 2020 and …

Only 85.9 lakh tourists visited India in 2022, way below pre-Covid levels, Union Minister informs Lok Sabha
1 year, 1 month ago

Only 85.9 lakh tourists visited India in 2022, way below pre-Covid levels, Union Minister informs Lok Sabha

Firstpost  

Foreign tourist arrivals in India are yet to reach the pre-pandemic levels as only 85.9 lakh of them visited the country in 2022 as against 2.88 crore in 2018 and 3.14 crore in 2019, according to government data Foreign tourist arrivals in India are yet to reach the pre-pandemic levels as only 85.9 lakh of them visited the country in …

Indians Become 2nd Largest Group of Overseas Visitors to Fly into US This Summer with 500,000 Travelling
1 year, 2 months ago

Indians Become 2nd Largest Group of Overseas Visitors to Fly into US This Summer with 500,000 Travelling

News 18  

Indians are the second biggest overseas visitors to the United States this summer, a report by the US commerce department’s National Travel and Tourism Office for the second quarter of 2023 revealed. The “Inbound Survey of International Air Travellers ” report showed that Indians braved the long waiting time for interviews and sky-high airfares to become the second biggest overseas …

Indian outbound tourism market to cross $15 billion in 2023, says NIMA chief
1 year, 3 months ago

Indian outbound tourism market to cross $15 billion in 2023, says NIMA chief

The Hindu  

Post Covid, the outbound tourism market has been growing steadily and this growth momentum is expected to continue till about 2032, an industry executive said. “India’s outbound tourism market is surging and set to reach $15.2 billion in 2023, with an anticipated 11.4% CAGR through 2032,” said Gajesh Girdhar, Chairman, Network of Indian MICE Agents at travel show BLTM 2023. …

Sri Lanka plans to attract 2.5 million tourists in 2024
1 year, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka plans to attract 2.5 million tourists in 2024

Deccan Chronicle  

Kolkata: Sri Lanka, which has been on the path of recovery after internal political turmoil, has set a target to attract 2.5 million tourists in 2024 to boost it's economy. Nalin Perera, director general of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority shared the details during the island nation's roadshow in the city to promote tourism weeks after West Bengal chief minister …

Sri Lanka counting on Indian tourists to aid economic recovery
1 year, 6 months ago

Sri Lanka counting on Indian tourists to aid economic recovery

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka is counting on tourists from India, its primary source market, to boost foreign exchange earnings and aid economic recovery, as the island expects fewer tourists from Europe amid the ongoing recession. Addressing participants on Thursday, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said tourism would emerge Sri Lanka’s chief foreign exchange earning sector in the next decade. In 2022, when Sri Lanka …

Vietnam emerging as Southeast Asia's new tourist hot spot
1 year, 6 months ago

Vietnam emerging as Southeast Asia's new tourist hot spot

Hindustan Times  

Vietnam has fast become one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, as tourists enjoy the county's diverse landscapes, beaches, mountainous rice terraces and bustling cities. "Having many online communication channels such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or promotion channels on Google or other networking channels is also the fastest way to promote Vietnam's image to the world," he said. …

India becomes Asia’s highest source of international travelers, especially US
1 year, 6 months ago

India becomes Asia’s highest source of international travelers, especially US

Live Mint  

Indians have been traveling abroad more, particularly to the United States as it is trying to accommodate the new tourism boom by opening two new consulates in the South Asian country, according to a report published by Reuters. The international travelers from India exceeded those of China, South Korea, and Japan last year, the tourism consultancy IPK International said. Geoff …

Bhutan sees spike in international tourists, tourism industry resurges
1 year, 7 months ago

Bhutan sees spike in international tourists, tourism industry resurges

Hindustan Times  

Bhutan has received more than 52,000 tourists in the past eight months, The Bhutan Live reported. Bhutan sees spike in international tourists, tourism industry resurges Among the international tourists, a large number of visitors were those who paid the new sustainable development fee exceeding those who paid the previous rate, as per the news report. Dorji Dhradhul, Director General of …

India registers 190% rise in YoY outbound travel, highest in Asia: Report
1 year, 8 months ago

India registers 190% rise in YoY outbound travel, highest in Asia: Report

Live Mint  

A recent report has stated that India emerged as the largest source market for outbound travelers in Asia in the year 2022. The report published by IPK International and published in ITB Berlin 2024, states that India's outbound travel market exceeded those of China, South Korea and Japan in Asia. With around ten million foreign trips, India is thus the …

Over 8 Lakh Foreign Tourists Visited India in January: PM Modi
1 year, 10 months ago

Over 8 Lakh Foreign Tourists Visited India in January: PM Modi

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that there was a growing attraction for India, as evident from the over 800,000 foreign tourists that visited the country in January. Addressing a post-budget webinar on 'Developing Tourism in Mission Mode’, the prime minister said there was a need to create a special strategy to attract tourists with maximum spending …

International Arrivals to Vietnam Increased 31 Times as Compared to Last Year
1 year, 10 months ago

International Arrivals to Vietnam Increased 31 Times as Compared to Last Year

News 18  

Vietnam saw 9,33,000 international arrivals in February, surging 31.6 times compared to the same period last year, the country’s General Statistics Office said on Tuesday. During the period, foreign arrivals to Vietnam by air accounted for 89.6 per cent of the total, followed by road with 9.6 per cent and sea routes with 0.8 per cent, respectively. As global airline …

Tourism sector on path of revival, says Economic Survey
1 year, 11 months ago

Tourism sector on path of revival, says Economic Survey

Deccan Chronicle  

PUNE: The Indian tourism sector is showing signs of revival after two years of Covid-induced challenges, the Economic Survey 2023, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said. It cited the World Tourism Barometer of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, which said that international tourism showed robust performance in the January-September 2022 period. International …

This country beats 2022 tourism target with 11.15 million foreign arrivals
1 year, 11 months ago

This country beats 2022 tourism target with 11.15 million foreign arrivals

Live Mint  

The Thailand tourism data showed on Tuesday that it saw 11.15 million foreign visitors in 2022. As per Ministry of Tourism and Sports data, The number topped the government’s forecast of 10 million foreign visitors, boosted by increased arrivals in the second half of the year. It’s just over a quarter of the 40 million international arrivals recorded in 2019, …

India Ranked Second-Largest Market For Singapore Tourism Sector In 2022
1 year, 11 months ago

India Ranked Second-Largest Market For Singapore Tourism Sector In 2022

News 18  

India has been ranked the second-largest tourist market for Singapore in 2022 behind Indonesia, with 686,000 Indian arrivals, according to data provided by the country’s tourism authority here on Tuesday. Singapore’s tourism receipts are estimated to reach SGD 13.8 billion to SGD 14.3 billion for 2022 – about 50 to 52 per cent of 2019 levels, said the STB. STB …

International travel is yet to shake off pandemic blues but students go abroad in record numbers
2 years ago

International travel is yet to shake off pandemic blues but students go abroad in record numbers

The Hindu  

Even as international travel, whether for employment or tourism or business, is yet to fully bounce back from its pandemic-induced trough, the first 11 months of 2022 have witnessed a record number of Indian students go abroad on student visas. The data compiled by the BoI, which collects the data on Indians going abroad based either on their verbal disclosure …

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu top two destinations for foreign tourists in 2021: Union ministry report
2 years, 3 months ago

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu top two destinations for foreign tourists in 2021: Union ministry report

Hindustan Times  

The Union Tourism Ministry released a report on Tuesday which revealed that Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu registered the most number of foreign tourist visits with 1.26 million and 1.23 million respectively in 2021. The report also stated the number of foreign tourist arrivals during 2021 decreased to 1.52 million - a nearly 44 per cent decline compared to 2020 - …

Second Wave of Covid Hit India’s Tourism With Fewer Foreign Tourist Arrivals Up To May 2021
3 years, 5 months ago

Second Wave of Covid Hit India’s Tourism With Fewer Foreign Tourist Arrivals Up To May 2021

News 18  

The deadly second wave of Covid-19 in India made a significant dent in the tourism industry, with fewer lakh tourists arriving in the country up to May 2021 as compared to the same period last year, when the outbreak had actually started, according to the government data. Around 3.89 lakh foreign footfall, of which March alone saw more than one …

New Travel Restrictions on COVID-19 Leave India’s Tourism Reeling
4 years, 9 months ago

New Travel Restrictions on COVID-19 Leave India’s Tourism Reeling

The Quint  

All within 24 hours, India barred the entry of foreigners for a little more than a month, it put on hold the visa-free facility granted to Overseas Citizen of India cardholders, it closed its border with neighbouring Myanmar and advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel. Besides tightening travel restrictions, India has put in place mandatory screening for all travellers …

Nepal sees slight decline in tourists, India remains its top source
4 years, 11 months ago

Nepal sees slight decline in tourists, India remains its top source

India TV News  

India continued to be Nepal's top source of tourists in 2019 even though there was a slight decline in the total number of tourists visiting the Himalayan nation. A total of 1.17 million tourists visited Nepal in 2019 via air and land route while in 2018 a total of 1.52 million tourists had visited Nepal, according to the data compiled …

Why Indians need to see more of the country they live in
5 years, 4 months ago

Why Indians need to see more of the country they live in

Op India  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not have nudged we Indians into travelling more often in India than we do abroad but he surely has invited attention and it’s a good enough Independence Day intervention from the man who is master in making you reflect. All of us who travel abroad screw up their noses at hotels, transport, infrastructure, squalor …

Domestic, foreign tourist arrivals go up in Kerala after floods
5 years, 5 months ago

Domestic, foreign tourist arrivals go up in Kerala after floods

Live Mint  

Thiruvananthapuram: Riding on a swift recovery from one of the worst natural calamities, Kerala has regained the pre-floods tourist footfalls, registering an impressive growth rate of 14.81 per cent in the second quarter of the current year. Particularly satisfying for Kerala Tourism was the fact that it bucked the negative trend in foreign tourist arrivals in the aftermath of last …

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