**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Tourism reports that foreign tourist arrivals in Maharashtra have more than doubled in three years, rising from 1.512 million in 2022 to 3.705 million in 2024, accounting for 17.69% of foreign tourist visits to India. The Ministry promotes tourism through various activities and schemes such as 'Swadesh Darshan' and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)'. The information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 5th February 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Foreign Tourist Arrivals in Maharashtra:**
* 2022: 1.512 million
* 2023: 3.388 million
* 2024: 3.705 million
* **National Share:** Maharashtra accounted for 17.69% of foreign tourist visits in India in 2024.
* **Ministry Initiatives:** The Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism through:
* International travel trade exhibitions, fairs, and events.
* Familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign tour operators, media, and influencers.
* Tourism Roadshows, India food festivals, and engagement with industry stakeholders.
* Publicity through social media handles.
* **Tourism Infrastructure Development:** The Ministry provides financial assistance under schemes such as:
* 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)' and 'Swadesh Darshan (SD2.0)'
* 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)'
* 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)'
* 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)'
* **Consultation Meetings:** The Ministry regularly consults with State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to address tourism development and promotion.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments / Union Territory Administrations (including Maharashtra)**
* **Impact:** Increased responsibility for managing growing tourist numbers and engaging in consultations with the Ministry. Potential to receive financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development through various schemes.
* **Action Required:** Participate in consultation meetings and coordinate with the Ministry on tourism-related matters. Explore opportunities for financial assistance under the Ministry's schemes.
**Tourism Industry Stakeholders (Tour operators, media, influencers, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Opportunities for business growth due to increased tourist arrivals. Potential to participate in FAM tours and other promotional activities organized by the Ministry.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the Ministry and State Governments to leverage promotional activities and access relevant resources.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra: Indian state focused on in terms of foreign tourist arrivals.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for promoting tourism in India and developing tourism infrastructure, mentioned as the source and promoter of the initiative.
Swadesh Darshan (SD): A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop tourism infrastructure in the country.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A scheme that provides financial assistance in consultation with the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations for pilgrimage and heritage tourism.
Ministry of Tourism
Foreign Tourist Arrivals in Maharashtra More
Than Double in Three Years
Rising from 1.512 million in 2022 to 3.388 million in 2023 and
further to 3.705 million in 2024
Posted On: 06 FEB 2026 11:07AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination, in the global tourism generating
markets, to promote various tourism products and destinations of the country. The promotion is carried
out through participation in various international travel trade exhibitions, fairs and events; organization of
familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign tour operators, media and influencers; organisation of tourism
Roadshows, India food festivals; engagement with local tour operators and other industry stakeholders;
publicity through social media handles. These activities are undertaken in association with Indian
Missions, industry and the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations, including the State
Government of Maharashtra.
Further, in order to develop tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry under its schemes of
‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development
(CBDD)’ a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI)’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’ provides financial assistance in consultation with the concerned State Governments/UT
Administrations.
The number of foreign tourists visits in Maharashtra in last three years is as follows –
(In Million)
2022 2023 2024
1.512 3.388 3.705
Maharashtra accounted for the highest share of foreign tourist visits in India in 2024 at 17.69 percent.
The Ministry regularly holds consultation meetings with the tourism departments of State Governments /
Union Territory Administrations including Maharashtra to discuss issues related to the development and
promotion of tourism in the country.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 5th February 2026.
****Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2224263) Visitor Counter : 253
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