India recorded 9.2 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, marking a 9.4% decrease from 2024 and a 17% drop below the pre-pandemic peak of 10.9 million. The country has experienced a decline in inbound tourism for two consecutive years through 2025.
India’s 2047 Tourism Goal Requires Sustained Growth
At the World Travel and Tourism Council summit held in Malta, Indian Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced a target to increase international arrivals to 100 million by 2047. Achieving this target necessitates an average annual growth rate of at least 12%. Shekhawat cited four essential factors to reach this milestone: political will, public spending, partnership, and people’s participation.
Geopolitical Impact and Projections for 2026
The decline in foreign arrivals has been attributed in part to the Iran War, which severed critical air corridors used by long-haul travelers to India. The PHD Chamber of Commerce has projected that inbound tourism to India could further decrease by 15% to 20% in 2026 due to these disruptions.
The announcement at the WTTC summit brought together key stakeholders including WTTC chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and president Gloria Guevara, who were present alongside Tourism Minister Shekhawat during the presentation of the long-term tourism goals.
