Indian Tourism

Goa sees record 10.8 mn tourist arrivals in 2025, foreign arrivals rise

Nearly 1.08 crore tourists, including five lakh foreigners, arrived in Goa in 2025, surpassing the numbers of previous years, as per official data. The Goa government's focus remains on promoting quality tourism, diversifying markets, and advancing the coastal state's vision of Regenerative Tourism, ensuring that its growth translates into long-term benefits for local communities, the environment, and the economy, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Sunday. In 2025, Goa recorded 1,02,84,608 domestic tourists and 5,17,802 foreign tourists, aggregating to 1,08,02,410 total arrivals, the state Tourism Department said in its data released on Sunday. Foreign tourist arrivals through charter flights have played an important role in Goa's inbound tourism, particularly from traditional source markets, it said. The data indicated that tourist arrivals in Goa, known for its picturesque beaches, have shown distinct phases of growth, disruption, and recovery over the years. In 2017, the st

Goa braces for nearly 500,000 tourists ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations

Goa is bracing for an influx of tourists in the run-up to New Year's Eve, as at least five lakh visitors are expected to throng the beaches and party hotspots of the coastal state to usher in the festivities, an official said on Sunday. The state tourism department claimed that the December 6 nightclub fire that killed 25 people in Arpora village in North Goa didn't seem to have impacted the activities. Talking to PTI Videos, State Tourism Director Kedar Naik said Goa is a safe destination, and people will continue to enjoy their New Year celebrations here. Popular beaches are gearing up for grand firework displays, while shacks are transforming into high-energy party zones that will keep buzzing late into the night. The state was fully geared up to receive visitors from India and abroad, Naik said. "Goa is all set to welcome tourists for the New Year's Eve celebrations. We have seen a large number of tourists coming into the state this entire year," he said. While the number of

Domestic tourism, corporate travel may push room rates up in 2026

India's hospitality sector is set for steady growth in 2026, with hotel room rates rising as domestic tourism, corporate travel and MICE demand continue to outpace new supply across major markets

Indian tourists among biggest spenders on luxury goods in Singapore: Report

Tourists from India are among the biggest spenders on luxury goods in Singapore, helping the city-state's high-end product retailers defy a global downtrend in spending on premium products, a top business association here said on Monday. Indian tourists spent SGD 812.17 million in Singapore in the first half of 2025, a rise of 4.40 per cent over the same period last year, according to Singapore Tourism Board (STB) statistics. Indian travellers continue to be one of the island's most commercially significant markets, and they are among the tourists helping to lift luxury spending in Singapore, Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) Chairman Mark Shaw said. ORBA is Singapore's key body managing and promoting Orchard Road, a premier shopping belt. Experts say, besides India, tourists from China and Indonesia are also helping the city-state defy a global downtrend in luxury spending. Indian travellers have high spending and longer-than-average lengths of stay at 6.3 days. These long

55% Indians plan winter trips; Goa, Kerala lead demand, says report

Around 55 per cent of Indian travellers plan winter trips every year, and Goa and Kerala remain top choices for them during the travel season, according to an Airbnb report. Indians are travelling in winter not just for holidays, but also to unwind and relax, the report said. "This winter season, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan and the Himalayan states dominate domestic travel interest on Airbnb, owing to their beaches, backwaters, heritage, winter weather and outdoor experiences," Airbnb Country Head, India and Southeast Asia, Amanpreet Bajaj said, quoting the report based on Airbnb internal data. He said 55 per cent of Indian travellers plan winter trips every year, signalling how winter has evolved as one of the country's favourite travel seasons for exploration and downtime, mainly fuelled by favourable cooler weather and scenic winter landscapes. Alongside these favourites, he said, there is also a strong momentum for emerging pockets such as Agatti in Lakshadweep, Guwahati, smaller ..

Higher spending but fewer visitors: India must fix its tourism strategy

India ranks 39th on the World Economic Forum's 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, performing strongly on natural and cultural resources

Working on providing visa-on-arrival on reciprocal basis: Tourism minister

The minister stated that the government was also working on further easing visa processing by reducing the time taken to apply for e-visas, which will also make travel easier for foreign tourists

Keep Himalayan valleys on your winter holiday itinerary: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India has immense potential to become a major destination for winter tourism and lauded the steps taken by the Uttarakhand government in this regard. In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address, Modi said that while fewer than 2,000 tourists visited Adi Kailash until three years ago, this number has now increased to over 30,000. The prime minister said that several countries have built successful tourism models around winter sports and activities such as skiing, snowboarding, trekking and ice climbing. India, with its diverse landscapes and mountain regions, is well-positioned to develop similar opportunities, he said. The prime minister urged citizens to consider the Himalayas when planning vacations, as the region offers memorable experiences during the winter season. "During these winter days, the Himalayan valleys become a part of an experience that lasts a lifetime. If you are planning a trip this winter, be sure to keep the ..

Ayodhya's tourism economy likely to generate ₹18,000 crore by 2028

Currently, the city's tourism sector generates between ₹8,000 crore and ₹12,500 crore annually spanning the hospitality, transport, retail, and services sectors

BLS International expects tourists from China to rise 15% next year

China flights opening to give 15% rise in tourist arrivals, says JMD Aggarwal

UP's share in national tourism increased from 13.1 to 18.9%: CM Yogi

In a Tweet on X, the UP CM said, Under the guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister, the new Uttar Pradesh has today become an inspiration for the nation, transforming through tourism

Philippines wooing Indian tourists with visa-free travel, direct flights

The Philippines is pitching to become a leading tourist destination in South-East Asia for Indians, with initiatives like visa-free travel and direct flights, a senior Philippine official has said. In a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity between India and the Philippines, Air India's direct flights from Delhi to Manila commenced operations from October 1, the official said. The Philippines launched visa-free travel for Indians in June, allowing for a 14-day stay for tourism. "Together with our visa-free regime for Indian tourists and resumption of direct flights between India and the Philippines after 10 years, we are ready to welcome you," Philippines Ambassador to India Josel F Ignacio said. This ease of travel with direct flight means that you do not lose a day. This will be an incentive for more Indians to travel to the Philippines," the senior diplomat told reporters. We know that for Indians with rising incomes, travel decisions are moderated by two ...

Tourism sector expected to grow with more than 25% CAGR: Gajendra Shekhawat

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday said the tourism sector contributes Rs 20 lakh crore to India's GDP, and is expected to grow at a rate of more than 25 per cent. "Tourism now contributes over Rs 20 lakh crore to our national GDP. It provides livelihood to more than 84 million people," he said, addressing the 'MP Travel Mart', an event organised by the Madhya Pradesh tourism department. "India welcomed 20 million inbound tourists last year, and 2.94 billion tour trips were made by domestic travelers. Tourism sector in India is estimated to grow with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of more than 25 per cent," he added. "These numbers tell a deeper story. The story of empowerment. Artisans finding new markets, families running home-stays, women entrepreneurs creating eco retreats, local youths becoming confidant guides and hosts," the tourism minister said. At the heart of this transformation lies the belief that tourism is a national priority, not an ..

IATO urges government to strengthen global promotion of India tourism

Tour operators seek tourism attaches, global campaigns, and a unified Incredible India strategy to revive foreign tourist arrivals and attract new markets

'Diwali travel surges as Indians mix celebrations with faith, getaways'

India is witnessing a record surge in festive travel this Diwali, as travellers combine traditional celebrations and family reunions with luxury escapes and spiritual journeys, with online travel platforms reporting strong growth in domestic and international bookings, according to experts. MakeMyTrip co-founder and Group CEO Rajesh Magow said visiting friends and relatives (VFR) remains the biggest driver of festive season travel, as many Indians head back to their hometowns to celebrate Diwali. "Therefore, of the top 10 most booked destinations, five are metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. This year, with the festival falling early in the week, many travellers are booking their trips as early as the preceding Friday to enjoy extended festivities. "We are also observing a rise in demand for pilgrimage destinations, reflecting how families are combining festive reunions with spiritual journeys," he noted. In terms of international travel, short-haul destination

Thomas Cook share price increases 3% on inking deal with Tourism Ministry

Thomas Cook shares gained in trade after the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism, in a strategic move to strengthen the domestic tourism ecosystem.

Agoda sees 67% rise in int'l travel interest to India for Diwali 2025

South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia emerging as new inbound markets for festive period

Festive demand strong, but overall growth seen muted this year: Cleartrip

Festive cheer is set to lift India's travel industry this year, with strong demand from Gen Z travellers and a surge in spiritual tourism expected to drive bookings, even as overall growth faces headwinds from recent incidents and geopolitical tensions, a top Cleartrip executive has said. "The beginning of the year was very strong with January, February and March accounting for unprecedented growth, in terms of yields, and it was an excellent time for the industry as a whole. "However, in June and July, we saw disruption following geopolitical tensions and the unfortunate Air India crash, which resulted in a moderation of growth. The industry has been flat over the last four months in terms of domestic flying numbers, and the yields have also tanked," Cleartrip Chief Growth and Business Officer Manjari Singhal told PTI. However, there has been a reversal in demand since the second half of August, as a result, overall growth is likely to remain muted, she added. These bookings are .

IndiGo CEO urges visa, travel reforms to boost India's inbound tourism

Pieter Elbers says India must simplify visas, improve ease of travel and revive campaigns to attract more foreign visitors

Tourism can beat 'Trumpian' tariffs, says former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant

Former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant urges Rs 20,000 crore for global tourism promotion, saying the sector can offset US tariffs and boost India's growth and jobs