India’s tourism industry experienced an extraordinary 124% surge in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, reaching 1.92 crore visitors, a significant increase from 85 lakh in 2022.

Several states, including Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, recorded the highest number of international tourists. However, specific figures for each state were not disclosed.

To boost foreign tourist arrivals, the Ministry of Tourism implemented various initiatives such as ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘PRASHAD’ (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive), and financial support under the ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ scheme. These programs focus on enhancing infrastructure and facilities at key tourism destinations across India.

India’s global tourism promotion efforts were amplified through campaigns like ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and ‘Chalo India’, alongside flagship events such as the International Tourism Mart and Bharat Parv. The launch of the Incredible India Content Hub, a digital platform featuring high-quality images, films, and brochures, further enriched the tourism experience for global travelers.

The tourism sector also embraced niche markets, promoting wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural tourism, and eco-tourism. Initiatives such as Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) and Paryatan Mitra were introduced to enhance visitor experiences through capacity-building programs.

In partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, efforts were made to improve air connectivity to major tourist destinations under the RCS-UDAN Scheme, leading to the operationalization of 53 tourism routes.

Additionally, India’s e-Visa scheme, available to citizens of 167 countries, was expanded with nine sub-categories, including e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, and e-Conference Visa, simplifying the visa process and facilitating international travel to India.

The post Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal Lead India’s Tourism Boom with One Crore Ninety-Two Lakh Foreign Arrivals, Fueling a One Hundred Twenty-Four Percent Growth appeared first on Travel And Tour World.