India Targets 100 Million Tourists by 2047 Despite Decline
India targets 100 million foreign visitors by 2047 as 2025 arrivals drop to 9.2 million and overseas promotion budgets are slashed by 97%.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- India aims to increase foreign tourist arrivals from 9.2 million in 2025 to 100 million by 2047.
- Foreign arrivals have fallen for two consecutive years, with an expected 15-20% drop in 2026 due to the Iran War.
- The overseas tourism promotion budget has been cut by 97% to approximately $361,770.
- Major hurdles remain, including the lack of a published roadmap and ongoing visa complexities.
India unveiled its ambitious long-term tourism strategy at the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Malta, where Indian Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat outlined a vision to surge international arrivals from 9.2 million to 100 million by the year 2047 over the next two decades.
To achieve this milestone, the tourism minister highlighted four foundational pillars, known as the four Ps: political will, public spending, partnership, and people's participation. However, industry observers note that the strategy currently lacks a crucial fifth element: a published and transparent action plan.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
India's inbound tourism sector is currently facing severe headwinds. The country recorded only 9.2 million foreign visitors in 2025, marking a 9.4% decline from 2024 and falling 17% short of the pre-pandemic peak of 10.9 million in 2019. This represents two consecutive years of declining arrival numbers, with the outlook for 2026 remaining challenging.
A report by the PHD Chamber of Commerce estimates that inbound tourism could drop by another 15 to 20% this year as the Iran War severs critical air corridors utilized by long-haul travelers. Additionally, arrivals from Bangladesh have plummeted by 73%, further straining the tourism economy.
Reaching the target of 100 million visitors by 2047 demands an average annual growth rate of 12% or higher—well above the 7.6% average recorded between 1999 and 2019. Given the budget cuts and aviation disruptions, bridging this gap requires addressing fundamental operational frictions such as visa processes and air connectivity rather than relying solely on high-level numerical goals.
In a striking contradiction, while the government promises a tenfold increase in arrivals, it has simultaneously slashed its overseas tourism promotion budget by 97% down to approximately $361,770. Consequently, domestic carriers IndiGo and Air India have been tasked with taking on a larger role in marketing the country abroad.
"India will go from 9.2 million international arrivals to 100 million by 2047."
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Indian Tourism Minister
Regarding travel facilitation, Shekhawat pointed out that e-visas are available for citizens of 177 countries. Nevertheless, the government think tank NITI Aayog has reported that the visa application process remains fragmented and complex, plagued by duplicate data entry and technical portal issues.
The situation draws a stark contrast with Japan, which missed its own 10 million visitor target in 2010 before accelerating rapidly through visa relaxations, expanded airport capacity, low-cost carriers, and a weaker currency, ultimately reaching 42.7 million visitors in 2025 against a 2030 goal of 60 million.
Source: Skift
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