**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to a parliamentary question (No. 2377) regarding the decline in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India. It presents the FTA figures for the first three quarters of 2025 and outlines the factors contributing to the decline. The response also details steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a safe, affordable, and attractive global tourism destination. The answer was provided on December 15, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Decline in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs):**
* Data provided for the first three quarters of 2025:
* Q1 (Jan to March): 26.15 lakh
* Q2 (April to June): 16.48 lakh
* Q3 (July to September): 19.20 lakh
* Total: 61.83 lakh
* Source: Bureau of Immigration
* **Reasons for the Decline:**
* Decline in arrivals from Bangladesh.
* Seasonal variations in travel patterns.
* The prevailing geopolitical scenario.
* Country-specific dynamics affecting outbound travel.
* **Steps Taken to Promote Tourism:**
* Financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies under schemes like ‘Swadesh Darshan', 'National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' for developing tourism infrastructure.
* Promotion of India through initiatives under "Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality" (DPPH) and "Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP)" schemes, including print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns.
* Regular promotion of tourism destinations and products through the Ministry's website and social media.
* Launch of the Incredible India Content Hub, a digital repository of tourism-related content.
* Collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the RCS-UDAN Scheme to improve air connectivity (53 tourism routes operationalized).
* Continuous efforts to encourage State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to set up dedicated Tourism Police.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** Required to address the decline in foreign tourist arrivals and implement promotional strategies.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement existing promotional schemes, collaborate with other ministries, and work with State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to ensure tourist safety and improve infrastructure.
**State Governments/Union Territory Administrations**
* **Impact:** Responsible for developing tourism infrastructure and ensuring tourist safety and security.
* **Action Required:** Utilize financial assistance provided by the Ministry of Tourism to develop infrastructure, establish dedicated Tourism Police, and promote local tourism destinations.
**Tourists**
* **Impact:** Aims to provide them with a safe, affordable, and attractive tourism experience in India.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action required, but tourists can benefit from improved infrastructure, enhanced safety measures, and increased promotional efforts.
**Bangladesh**
* **Impact:** Increased efforts might be needed to promote tourism from this location.
* **Action Required:** Not specified.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The primary government entity responsible for tourism policies and initiatives discussed in the document.
Swadesh Darshan: A scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on developing tourism circuits with specific themes.
PRASHAD: National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive, a scheme by the Ministry of Tourism
RCS-UDAN Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Civil Aviation aimed at improving air connectivity to unserved and underserved airports, with collaboration from the Ministry of Tourism.
Bangladesh: Mentioned as a country that has contributed to the decline of foreign tourists arrival in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2377
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
DECLINE IN FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS
2377. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the decline in foreign
tourist arrivals during the last quarter;
(b) if so, the details of the factors responsible for this decline; and
(c) the details of the steps taken/being taken to promote India as a
safe, affordable and attractive global tourism destination?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) & (b): The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the first three
quarter of this year are given below:
Quarter FTAs 2025 (in lakh)
Q1 (Jan to March) 26.15
Q2 (April to June) 16.48
Q3 (July to September) 19.20
Total 61.83
Source: Bureau of Immigration
The decline in Foreign Tourist Arrivals is mainly due to decline in
arrival from Bangladesh and several other factors, including seasonal
variations in travel patterns, the prevailing geopolitical scenario, and
other country-specific dynamics affecting outbound travel.
(c): Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to promote India as a
safe, affordable and attractive global tourism destination, as follows:Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’,
‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies
for Tourism Infrastructure Development’, provides financial assistance
to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central
Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and
facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.
Further, Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner,
through various initiatives under its Schemes of “Domestic Promotion
& Publicity including Hospitality” (DPPH) and “Overseas Promotion &
Publicity (OPP)”. As part of its on-going activities; it regularly releases
print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the
international markets, to promote various tourism destinations and
products of India. The Ministry of Tourism also regularly promotes
various tourism destinations and products through its website and
social media promotions.
The Incredible India Content Hub was launched which is a
comprehensive digital repository, featuring a rich collection of high-
quality images, films, brochures, and newsletters related to tourism in
India.
For improving air connectivity from unserved and underserved
airports in the country and make air travel affordable to the masses,
Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with Ministry of Civil Aviation
under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As on date, 53 tourism routes have
been operationalized.
While safety and security of tourists is primarily a State
Government subject, the Ministry of Tourism has been continuously
taking up the matter with all the State Governments/Union Territory
(UT) Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourism Police. With
the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments /UT
Administrations of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka,
Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya
Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana and Uttar
Pradesh have deployed tourist police, in one form or the other.
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