New Delhi, September 27, 2024 — Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India for the first half of 2024 reached approximately 4.78 million, with Bangladesh and the United States emerging as the primary source countries. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism, inbound tourism is still recovering and has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. These figures were announced on World Tourism Day, underscoring a gradual revival in the tourism sector.

In June 2024, FTAs totaled 706,045, marking a 9% increase from June 2023’s 648,008 arrivals, but reflecting a 2.8% decline compared to June 2019’s 726,446. For the January-June period of 2024, FTAs stood at 4,778,374, indicating a 9.1% rise from the same timeframe in 2023 but a 9.8% drop compared to 2019. The top five source countries during this period included:

Bangladesh: 21.55%

United States: 17.56%

United Kingdom: 9.82%

Canada: 4.5%

Australia: 4.32%

In June alone, Bangladesh accounted for 28.49% of FTAs, followed by the U.S. at 22.59%, the UK at 6.10%, Australia at 3.74%, and Canada at 3.01%. Leisure and recreation remained the primary reasons for foreign tourists visiting India, highlighting the country’s allure as a travel destination.

Recovery Compared to Global Trends

A report from Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics pointed out that India’s recovery in inbound tourism is lagging behind global trends post-pandemic. While global FTAs reached 96% of pre-COVID levels by July 2024, India’s figures have not kept pace. However, foreign exchange earnings (FEE) showed significant growth, reflecting that visitors are spending more per trip. The FEE for January-June 2024 was $15.339 billion, up from $13.041 billion during the same period in 2023 and $14.534 billion in 2019, indicating growth rates of 17.62% and 5.54%, respectively. Indian National Departures (INDs) also rose to over 15 million during this timeframe.

Indian Outbound Tourism on the Rise

Indian tourists are becoming major contributors to global tourism growth, comprising about 2.4% of the global outbound market as of 2019. The ongoing economic recovery has enabled more Indians to travel abroad, driven by increasing disposable incomes and improved airline connectivity.

Recognition of Rural Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism has also announced winners for the Best Tourism Villages Competition for 2024, recognizing villages across various categories, including adventure tourism and responsible tourism. This initiative aims to bolster rural tourism development and promote sustainable practices.

Enhancing Visitor Experiences

To improve tourism experiences, feedback mechanisms are being implemented at airports and railway stations nationwide. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to engage citizens in tourism development and enhance visitor experiences at attractions. The Ministry is focused on creating a more welcoming environment for tourists to encourage repeat visits.

Optimism Amid Challenges

Despite challenges such as geopolitical tensions that could affect international travel recovery rates, experts remain optimistic about a return to pre-pandemic levels by late 2024. Former Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh expressed confidence in this recovery trend while acknowledging potential hurdles.

Asia Pacific’s Role in Inbound Tourism

The Asia Pacific region continues to be crucial for India’s inbound tourism market, with countries like Australia and Japan among the top sources of tourists visiting India in recent years. Approximately 1.22 million tourists from six Asia Pacific countries visited India out of a total of over nine million foreign tourists in recent years.

Conclusion

The Ministry’s data suggests that while inbound tourism is recovering slowly compared to global trends, there is hope for future growth as international travel continues to normalize into late 2024. With ongoing efforts to enhance the tourism landscape, coupled with rising international travel demand, India’s tourism sector shows a promising path toward recovery.

The post India’s Foreign Travel Arrivals Show Growth at 4.78 Million appeared first on Travel And Tour World.