As global conflicts continue in West Asia, India is relying more on its own citizens for tourism revenue. International visitor spending has shown little change over seven years, remaining near pre-pandemic figures from 2019.
The World Travel & Tourism Council reported that foreign tourist expenditure held steady at ₹2.9 trillion in 2025, matching 2019 levels despite an 8 percent rise from the prior year. Projections for 2026 indicate only a 15.3 percent increase to ₹3.3 trillion. The rupee has weakened about 27 percent against the dollar since 2019.
Domestic tourism spending, however, has climbed 37 percent since 2019, reaching ₹17.7 trillion. Forecasts point to ₹19 trillion this year. Domestic travelers now account for 86 percent of total tourism outlays.
WTTC chair Gloria Guevara noted that India possesses strong cultural and hospitality assets yet lacks a unified strategy to boost inbound arrivals. Visa facilitation, better air links, and targeted promotion overseas are seen as essential steps.
The sector supported 46.2 million jobs last year. Employment is expected to reach 48.1 million in 2026. India’s travel economy contributed 6.6 percent of GDP in 2025 and is projected to grow further.
Geopolitical tensions have reduced airline capacity from the Middle East, slowing inbound recovery. Asia-Pacific leads global tourism expansion, aided by coordinated marketing in several nations.
