**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response of the Ministry of Tourism to questions raised in the Lok Sabha concerning India's participation in the World Travel Market (WTM), international tourist arrivals (ITAs), and the impact of tourism on the Indian economy. Data is provided from 2019-2025. Key deadlines and action items are not explicitly stated.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **World Travel Market (WTM) Participation:**
* The Ministry of Tourism participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, held in London from November 4th to 6th.
* A delegation of 30 stakeholders, including State Governments/UT Administrations, inbound tour operators, and IRCTC, represented India.
* The goal was to showcase India's cultural diversity, tourism products, and immersive experiences.
* **International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE):**
* The table below summarises the ITA
* State/UT-wise details on ITA are not available, but details of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) from 2020 to 2024, including West Bengal, are provided in Annexure-I.
| Year | ITAs (in lakh) |
| :----: | :----: |
| 2020 | 63.37 |
| 2021 | 70.10 |
| 2022 | 143.30 |
| 2023 | 188.99 |
| 2024 | 205.69 |
* **Details of ITA and FEE**
| Year | ITAs (in lakh) | FEEs from Tourism in India (in Rs. Crore) |
| :----: | :----: | :----: |
| 2019 | 179.14 | 2,16,467 |
| 2020 | 63.37 | 95,738 |
| 2021 | 70.10 | 63,978 |
| 2022 | 143.30 | 1,69,917 |
| 2023 | 188.99 | 2,66,045 |
| 2024 | 205.69 | 2,93,033 |
* **Top 10 Source Countries for FTAs:**
* Details of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from the top 10 source countries from 2020 to 2024 are provided in Annexure-II.
* **Employment in the Tourism Sector:**
* The table below summarizes the total number of tourism jobs from 2020-21 to 2023-24.
| Year | Total Number of tourism jobs (in million) |
| :----: | :----: |
| 2020-21 | 68.07 |
| 2021-22 | 70.04 |
| 2022-23 | 76.17 |
| 2023-24 | 84.63 |
* **State/UT-wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs)**
| States/UTS | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| :----: | :----: | :----: | :----: | :----: | :----: |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 5,412 | 1,687 | 4,461 | 9,025 | 11,497 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 67,591 | 27,551 | 1,65,845 | 60,426 | 2,62,431 |
| Arunachal | 961 | 182 | 1,055 | 4,496 | 4,714 |
| Assam | 7,285 | 536 | 9,001 | 23,818 | 27,170 |
| Bihar | 3,08,080 | 1,046 | 86,829 | 5,46,576 | 7,36,720 |
| Chandigarh | 12,218 | 5,451 | 28,439 | 31,498 | 39,058 |
| Chhattisgarh | 2,322 | 8 | 238 | 953 | 3,485 |
| Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman & | 1,604 | 185 | 1,791 | 4,048 | 2,626 |
| Delhi | 6,81,230 | 1,00,178 | 8,15,713 | 18,28,116 | 19,99,410 |
| Goa | 3,02,751 | 22,128 | 1,74,799 | 4,52,692 | 4,67,911 |
| Gujarat | 2,10,047 | 11,319 | 17,77,21 | 28,06,871 | 22,74,477 |
| Haryana | 17,474 | 4,578 | 2,439 | 1,346 | 543 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 42,665 | 4,932 | 29,333 | 62,806 | 82,765 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 5,317 | 1,650 | 19,985 | 55,337 | 65,452 |
| Jharkhand | 490 | 1,637 | 1,92,319 | 1,89,261 | 45,273 |
| Karnataka | 1,65,325 | 72,487 | 1,28,520 | 4,09,333 | 4,85,204 |
| Kerala | 3,40,755 | 60,487 | 3,45,549 | 6,49,057 | 7,38,374 |
| Ladakh | 1,126 | 1,054 | 21,259 | 36,315 | 39,704 |
| Lakshadweep | 413 | 4 | 125 | 755 | 898 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 99,819 | 41,601 | 2,04,454 | 1,82,685 | 1,67,535 |
| Maharashtra | 12,62,40 | 1,85,643 | 15,11,62 | 33,87,739 | 37,05,170 |
| Manipur | 3,139 | 648 | 3,908 | 3,668 | 2,518 |
| Meghalaya | 2,311 | 411 | 7,774 | 20,023 | 23,075 |
| Mizoram | 265 | 234 | 2,611 | 3,754 | 5,414 |
| Nagaland | 518 | 325 | 2,923 | 4,725 | 5,623 |
| Odisha | 10,206 | 2,269 | 22,121 | 45,173 | 87,854 |
| Puducherry | 92,080 | 321 | 862 | 31,214 | 17,819 |
| Punjab | 3,59,114 | 3,08,135 | 3,29,458 | 7,41,734 | 5,41,784 |
| Rajasthan | 4,46,457 | 34,806 | 3,96,684 | 16,99,869 | 20,72,407 |
| Sikkim | 19,935 | 11,508 | 68,645 | 93,908 | 84,820 |
| Tamil Nadu | 12,28,32 | 57,622 | 4,07,126 | 11,74,899 | 11,61,302 |
| Tripura | 31,877 | 5 | 8,493 | 66,708 | 90,824 |
| Telangana | 46,694 | 5,917 | 68,401 | 1,60,912 | 1,55,313 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 8,90,932 | 44,737 | 6,48,986 | 16,01,503 | 22,69,067 |
| Uttarakhand | 41,339 | 8,532 | 61,561 | 1,43,027 | 1,39,375 |
| West Bengal | 4,63,285 | 34,828 | 10,37,01 | 27,06,942 | 31,24,462 |
| Total | 71,71,769 | 10,54,642 | 85,87,562 | 1,92,41,212 | 2,09,42,074 |
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** The Ministry's efforts to promote India's tourism sector are highlighted, including participation in international events like WTM. The data on ITAs, FEEs, and employment reflects the performance and impact of the tourism sector.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor tourism trends, leverage data for informed decision-making, and promote sustainable tourism practices.
**State Governments/UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** The report provides FTV data, allowing them to assess their individual performance in attracting foreign tourists.
* **Action Required:** Analyze the FTV data to identify strengths and weaknesses, implement targeted strategies to attract more tourists, and collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism on promotional activities.
**Inbound Tour Operators**
* **Impact:** The report provides data on tourism trends and source markets, which can help them tailor their services and marketing efforts.
* **Action Required:** Use the data to identify new opportunities, develop innovative tour packages, and enhance customer experience.
**Indian Economy**
* **Impact:** The increase in foreign tourist arrivals leads to greater foreign exchange earnings and job creation, contributing positively to the Indian economy.
* **Action Required:** The government should continue to support the tourism sector through infrastructure development, policy reforms, and promotional campaigns.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs): Metric that describes the number of tourists arriving in a country from other countries.
World Travel Market (WTM): Annual event in London focused on global travel industry.
India: The country which is participating in World Travel Market and on which the foreign tourist arrival and earnings data are collected.
IRCTC: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, involved in tourism promotion.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1167
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
WORLD TRAVEL MARKET AND FTAs
1167. SMT. BAG MITALI:
PROF. SOUGATA RAY:
DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the country is participating at World Travel Market with a
delegation of stakeholders including State Governments/UT
Administrations, inbound tour operators from the Indian travel
industry along with IRCTC to showcase India's vibrant cultural
diversity;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the total number of international tourist arrivals during
the period from 2020 to 2025, State/UT-wise especially in West Bengal;
(d) whether it is a fact that West Bengal has the third highest number of
foreign tourists visitor, if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether India's tourism sector has seen a significant recovery after
the COVID-19 pandemic, with international tourist arrivals exceeding
pre-pandemic levels, if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether it is a fact that Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from several
major source countries have shown an upward trend, if so, the details
thereof;
(g) the details of top ten source markets for FTAs during the last five
years; and
(h) whether the surge in foreign tourist arrivals has a positive impact on
the Indian economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange
earnings and job creation in the tourism sector, if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)(a) to (b): The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India participated in
World Travel Market (WTM) 2025 held in London from 4th till 6th November
2025. The Ministry participated with a delegation of 30 stakeholders
including State Governments / Union Territory Administrations, inbound tour
operators from the Indian travel industry along with IRCTC to showcase
India's vibrant cultural diversity and the range of tourism products and
immersive experiences.
(c) to (d): The details of International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) during the last
five years are as below:
Year ITAs (in lakh)
2020 63.37
2021 70.10
2022 143.30
2023 188.99
2024 205.69
Source: Bureau of Immigration
Further, State/UT-wise International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) are not
available with the Ministry of Tourism. However, State/UT-wise details of
the total number of Foreign Tourist Visits during 2020 to 2025, including
West Bengal may be seen at Annexure-I.
(e) to (h): The details of International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) and Foreign
Exchange Earnings (FEE) from 2019 to 2024 are as below:
Year ITAs (in lakh) FEEs from Tourism in India (in Rs. Crore)
2019 179.14 2,16,467
2020 63.37 95,738
2021 70.10 63,978
2022 143.30 1,69,917
2023 188.99 2,66,045
2024 205.69 2,93,033 #
Source: Bureau of Immigration
#: Revised Estimates
The details of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from Top 10 source
countries from 2020 to 2024 may be seen at Annexure-II.
The Employment scenario in the tourism sector in India for the year
2020-21 to 2023-24 is given below:Year Total Number of tourism jobs (in million)
2020-21 68.07
2021-22 70.04
2022-23 76.17
2023-24 84.63
Source: Estimates based on periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
******ANNEXURE-I
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.1167 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING WORLD
TRAVEL MARKET & FTAs RAISED BY SMT. BAG MITALI, PROF. SOUGATA
RAY AND DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN
State/UT- wise Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) during 2020 to 2024 are given
below:
States/UTs 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Andaman &
5,412 1,687 4,461 9,025 11,497
Nicobar Islands
Andhra Pradesh 67,591 27,551 1,65,845 60,426 2,62,431
Arunachal 961 182 1,055 4,496 4,714
Pradesh
Assam 7,285 536 9,001 23,818 27,170
Bihar 3,08,080 1,046 86,829 5,46,576 7,36,720
Chandigarh 12,218 5,451 28,439 31,498 39,058
Chhattisgarh 2,322 8 238 953 3,485
Dadra Nagar
1,604 185 1,791 4,048 2,626
Haveli & Daman &
Diu
Delhi 6,81,230 1,00,178 8,15,713 18,28,116 19,99,410
Goa 3,02,751 22,128 1,74,799 4,52,692 4,67,911
Gujarat 2,10,047 11,319 17,77,21 28,06,871 22,74,477
5
Haryana 17,474 4,578 2,439 1,346 543
Himachal Pradesh 42,665 4,932 29,333 62,806 82,765
Jammu & Kashmir 5,317 1,650 19,985 55,337 65,452
Jharkhand 490 1,637 1,92,319 1,89,261 45,273
Karnataka 1,65,325 72,487 1,28,520 4,09,333 4,85,204
Kerala 3,40,755 60,487 3,45,549 6,49,057 7,38,374
Ladakh 1,126 1,054 21,259 36,315 39,704
Lakshadweep 413 4 125 755 898
Madhya Pradesh 99,819 41,601 2,04,454 1,82,685 1,67,535
Maharashtra 12,62,40 1,85,643 15,11,62 33,87,739 37,05,170
9 3
Manipur 3,139 648 3,908 3,668 2,518
Meghalaya 2,311 411 7,774 20,023 23,075
Mizoram 265 234 2,611 3,754 5,414
Nagaland 518 325 2,923 4,725 5,623
Odisha 10,206 2,269 22,121 45,173 87,854Puducherry 92,080 321 862 31,214 17,819
Punjab 3,59,114 3,08,135 3,29,458 7,41,734 5,41,784
Rajasthan 4,46,457 34,806 3,96,684 16,99,869 20,72,407
Sikkim 19,935 11,508 68,645 93,908 84,820
Tamil Nadu 12,28,32 57,622 4,07,126 11,74,899 11,61,302
3
Tripura 31,877 5 8,493 66,708 90,824
Telangana 46,694 5,917 68,401 1,60,912 1,55,313
Uttar Pradesh 8,90,932 44,737 6,48,986 16,01,503 22,69,067
Uttarakhand 41,339 8,532 61,561 1,43,027 1,39,375
West Bengal 4,63,285 34,828 10,37,01 27,06,942 31,24,462
7
Total 71,71,769 10,54,642 85,87,562 1,92,41,212 2,09,42,074
Source: State/UT Tourism Departments
**********ANNEXURE-II
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (e) TO (h) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.1167 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING WORLD
TRAVEL MARKET & FTAs RAISED BY SMT. BAG MITALI, PROF. SOUGATA
RAY AND DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN
Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from Top 10 source countries during 2020 to
2024
S. No. Country 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
United
1 3,94,092 4,29,860 14,03,399 16,91,498 18,04,586
States
2 Bangladesh 5,49,273 2,40,554 12,77,557 21,19,826 17,50,165
United
3 2,91,874 1,64,143 6,41,051 9,20,591 10,22,587
Kingdom
4 Australia 86,758 33,864 3,76,898 4,56,167 5,18,205
5 Canada 1,22,868 80,437 2,89,259 3,85,938 4,76,273
6 Malaysia 69,897 6,628 1,26,192 2,62,458 3,07,526
7 Sri Lanka 68,646 25,989 1,83,459 2,80,327 2,81,827
8 Germany 72,558 33,772 1,41,425 2,23,575 2,56,348
9 France 74,243 30,374 1,20,282 1,88,981 2,06,855
10 Singapore 33,747 13,407 1,32,668 1,83,772 2,05,383
Source: Bureau of Immigration
*********