Tuesday, March 18, 2025

experienced a remarkable surge in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, marking a 47.90% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Bureau of Immigration. Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the figures in a written statement to the Lok Sabha, highlighting the nation’s strong post-pandemic tourism revival.

A total of visited India in 2023, demonstrating a substantial recovery in global travel demand. Among these, arrived for leisure, holiday, and recreation, witnessing an from 2022. Business and professional travel also saw a significant boost, with , reflecting a compared to the previous year.

India’s overall FTA recovery has reached , closely aligning with the and significantly outpacing the .

The sharp increase in foreign visitors can be attributed to several factors, including:

India’s reputation as a has further contributed to its growing appeal among global travelers.

The Ministry of Tourism has played a pivotal role in this resurgence, implementing initiatives such as:

Additionally, India has expanded its , including , attracting a more diverse range of travelers.

To streamline entry for foreign tourists, India has extended its under multiple categories, including . The country has also strengthened air connectivity through the , operationalizing 53 new tourism routes to facilitate seamless travel.

With strong government backing and a growing global interest in India’s rich heritage and experiences, the country is poised to reach full pre-pandemic tourism recovery in the coming years.