**India’s Travel and Tourism Sector Set to Thrive by 2035**
India’s travel and tourism industry is projected to contribute nearly ₹42 trillion and create around 64 million jobs by 2035. However, to maintain its competitive edge and sustain growth, significant investments in infrastructure and destination marketing are essential, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The sector has shown remarkable recovery, with international visitor spending reaching a record ₹3.1 trillion in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic figures. Domestic tourism also surged, with total spending in India hitting ₹15.5 trillion last year, a 22% increase from 2019, as reported by the WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research. This data highlights a strong rebound in international travel after the pandemic, which had previously shifted focus to domestic tourism.
Julia Simpson, WTTC’s president and CEO, emphasized the need for India to enhance its global marketing efforts. “It’s crucial for India to share its story with the world,” she stated. Simpson expressed confidence that India will increase its investment in infrastructure and marketing to showcase both established and emerging destinations.
The WTTC, representing over 200 CEOs from leading travel and tourism companies, believes India is on track to become one of the most dynamic tourism economies in the coming decade, primarily driven by domestic travelers. However, the council underscored the importance of consistent policy support and robust global marketing to sustain this growth.
In 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed approximately ₹21 trillion to India’s GDP, accounting for about 6.6% of the economy and supporting a record 46.5 million jobs. In comparison, tourism and culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat noted that tourism contributed 5% to India’s GDP in 2023, with 2.6% from direct contributions and 2.4% from indirect impacts.
The growth trajectory is expected to continue, with the WTTC forecasting the sector’s contribution to exceed ₹22 trillion by 2025 and job numbers to surpass 48 million. India welcomed 20 million international visitors in 2024, an increase of 2.3 million since 2019. Business travel also showed signs of recovery, reaching ₹1.1 trillion last year, a 2.6% increase from its 2019 peak.
Simpson highlighted India’s robust domestic travel base as a significant asset. “India has a very vibrant domestic travel market, which is crucial for the sector’s growth,” she noted.
In conclusion, with strategic investments in infrastructure and marketing, India is poised to enhance its position as a leading global travel destination, ensuring sustained growth in its travel and tourism sector.
**FAQ**
**What is the projected contribution of India’s travel and tourism sector by 2035?**
India’s travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute nearly ₹42 trillion and create around 64 million jobs by 2035, provided there are significant investments in infrastructure and marketing.
