India received 9.2 million foreign tourists in 2025, reflecting a 9.4% decrease from the previous year. This marked the second consecutive year of decline in inbound arrivals and remained 17% below the pre-pandemic peak of 10.9 million travelers.
India’s 2047 Tourism Target and Strategic Framework
At the World Travel and Tourism Council summit held in Malta, Indian Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced an ambitious goal to raise international arrivals to 100 million by 2047. The minister outlined a framework based on four pillars—political will, public spending, partnership, and people’s participation—as essential to achieving this target.
Factors Behind Decline and Outlook for 2026
The decline in arrivals has been influenced by the disruption of
key air corridors previously utilized by long-haul travelers due to the Iran War. The PHD Chamber of Commerce projected a further 15-20% reduction in inbound tourism for 2026 linked to these geopolitical developments.
Reaching the 100 million arrival target by 2047 would require sustained average annual growth exceeding 12%, a rate significantly higher than recent figures. The government has not released a detailed plan outlining the steps to meet this growth, despite the stated framework components.
