Date: 2026-02-05Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in India reached 20.57 million in 2024, showing a strong recovery in inbound tourism with an 8.9% increase over the previous year
**Executive Summary**
This report from the Ministry of Tourism announces that International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in India reached 20.57 million in 2024, reflecting an 8.9% increase over the previous year and a strong recovery in inbound tourism. This achievement surpasses pre-COVID levels due to various factors, including visa facilitation, improved infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity. The information was provided by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **ITA Growth:**
* India's ITA in 2024 reached 20.57 million, showing significant growth compared to previous years.
* The ITA figures for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 were 17.91, 6.33, 7.00, 14.33 and 18.89 million respectively.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The government is actively strengthening safety, improving connectivity and infrastructure, and enhancing coordinated destination promotion to boost tourism.
* The National Single Window System (NSWS) has been implemented to ease application processes.
* Registrations at the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI+) are now integrated with NSWS.
* **E-Visa Program:**
* The e-visa program has gained popularity, with 14 sub-categories available to nationals of 175 countries.
* E-visa entry is facilitated through 38 designated airports, 16 seaports, and 2 land ports.
* **Tourism Promotion:**
* Promotional activities use digital and conventional media, including websites, social media, and participation in tourism fairs.
* The "Incredible India" campaign has strengthened India's global brand.
* **Connectivity and Safety:**
* The Ministry of Tourism is working to improve air connectivity to tourist destinations.
* The Ministry has established a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline (1800111363 or 1363) in 12 languages to support tourists.
* The Ministry is coordinating with State Governments and Union Territories to set up dedicated Tourism Police.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for coordinating efforts to improve tourism infrastructure, safety, and promotion.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and refining programs to enhance tourism, including e-visa facilitation, promotional campaigns, and safety measures.
* **State Governments and Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring tourist safety and security within their jurisdictions.
* **Action Required:** Establish dedicated Tourism Police and collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism on safety initiatives.
* **Tourists (Domestic and International)**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of improved infrastructure, safety measures, and support services.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available resources such as the tourist helpline and e-visa facilities to enhance their travel experience.
* **Industry Stakeholders (Accommodation Units, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Affected by changes in registration processes and promotional activities.
* **Action Required:** Register on NIDHI+ and integrate with NSWS for streamlined operations.
Key Entities Referenced
International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs): Metric measuring inbound tourism to India.
Ministry of Tourism: Indian government ministry responsible for tourism.
National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI+): Portal of the Ministry of Tourism for registration/approval/classification of tourism-related entities.
National Single Window System (NSWS): Portal under the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) that is integrated with NIDHI+ to ease application processes.
Ministry of Tourism
International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in India
reached 20.57 million in 2024, showing a strong
recovery in inbound tourism with an 8.9%
increase over the previous year
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 3:37PM by PIB Delhi
Tourist arrivals in the country depend on various factors such as visa facilitation, health and hygiene
standards, availability of quality tourism infrastructure and services, seamless connectivity, etc.
International Tourist Arrivals (ITA) in India have shown continuous growth over the last five (5) years and
have surpassed the pre-COVID levels. The ITA in India from 2019 to 2024 is given below:
Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
International Tourist 17.91 6.33 7.00 14.33 18.89 20.57
Arrivals (ITAs) in
India (in million)
Source: Bureau of Immigration
India’s tourism image abroad remains positive, supported by ongoing efforts of the Government to
strengthen safety, improve connectivity and infrastructure, and enhance coordinated destination
promotion. These measures continue to reinforce international confidence in India as an attractive tourism
destination.
E-visa has become very popular among foreigners which is evident from the fact that the number of e-
visa issued has gone up rapidly over the last few years. At present there are fourteen sub-categories of e-
visa and is now available to the nationals of 175 countries for entry through 38 designated airports, 16
designated seaports and 02 land ports.
Through the setup of portals of National Single Window System (NSWS), the Department for Promotion
of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the
Government is ensuring ease of application. Registrations at National Integrated Database of Hospitality
Industry (NIDHI+), which is the portal of Ministry of Tourism for registration/approval/classification of
Accommodation Units, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport Operators, Food & Beverage
Units, Online Travel Aggregators, Convention Centres and Tourist Facilitators, has also been integrated
with NSWS.Promotional activities are undertaken through a mix of digital and conventional media, including official
tourism websites, social media platforms, and participation in international tourism fairs and exhibitions.
The Incredible India campaign strengthened India’s global brand presence and contributed to a notable
increase in foreign tourist arrivals.
Effective and adequate connectivity is one of the important aspects for developing a tourist destination.
Ministry of Tourism is working very closely with Ministry of Civil Aviation for improving the air
connectivity to important tourist destination and to lesser known/new destinations with high potential.
Safety and Security of tourists is essentially a State subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has been
continuously taking up the matter with all the State Governments and Union Territory (UT)
Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourism Police to strengthen on-ground safety mechanism for
tourists. As a part of the Ministry’s continuous endeavors to make travel for tourists safe and secure, the
Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363
or on a short code 1363 in 12 Languages including 10 international languages for domestic and foreign
tourists to provide support service in term of information relating to travel in India and to offer appropriate
guidance to tourists in distress, while travelling within India.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in
a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
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