India recorded 9.2 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, marking a 9.4% decline from 2024 and standing 17% below the pre-pandemic peak of 10.9 million arrivals. This represents the second consecutive year of falling inbound tourism numbers for the country.
India Sets 2047 Target for 100 Million Foreign Tourists
At the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Malta, India’s Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced an ambitious goal to increase foreign tourist arrivals to 100 million by the year 2047. To achieve this, he outlined a strategy based on four key pillars: political will, public spending, partnership, and people’s participation.
Impact of Iran War on 2026 Tourism Forecast
The PHD Chamber of Commerce projected a 15-20%
decline in inbound tourism to India in 2026. The forecast is tied to severed air corridors caused by the ongoing Iran War, which has disrupted key flight routes used by long-haul visitors traveling to India.
Growth Requirements and Industry Challenges
Meeting the target of 100 million foreign arrivals by 2047 requires an average annual growth rate of at least 12%, significantly higher than current growth trends. The recent consecutive annual declines in foreign arrivals, compounded by geopolitical issues such as the Iran War, present considerable challenges for India’s tourism sector.
