As many as 47.78 lakh foreigners visited India during the January-June period this year, an increase of around 10 per cent from 2023 (43.80 lakhs). In 2019, the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) were 52.96 lakh while it was 47.84 lakh for the first six months of 2017
The arrival of foreign tourists in India has not surpassed the numbers of 2019 but the departure of Indians abroad has reached an all-time high this year, as per an official data analysed by News18.
The mid-year figures of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) and Indian Nationals Departures (INDs) for the year 2024 have shown improvement when compared to the data from 2023 for the January-June period.
As many as 47.78 lakh foreigners visited India during the January-June period this year, an increase of around 10 per cent from 2023 (43.80 lakhs). In 2019, the FTAs were at 52.96 lakh while it was 47.84 lakh for the first six months of 2017.
The analysis of the data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that the arrival foreign tourists in India has been the highest this year (January-June period) since the pandemic.
Both in 2023 and 2024, the highest share of FTAs were from Bangladesh, around 22-23%, followed by the USA at 18%. Leisure holiday and recreation were the two main purposes for almost half of tourists who arrived in India in 2024 and 2023.
With almost 32% share, the majority of FTAs are reported at Delhi airport. In 2023, the city was at the top with around 30% share as well. Both the year, Mumbai was at the second spot with about 15% share of FTAs.
Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) for the January- June period this year was Rs 1,27,628 crore or US$ 15.339 billion as compared to Rs 1,07,178 crore or US$ 13.041 billion in January-June 2023. During January-June 2019, the FEE was Rs 1,01,774 crore or US$ 14.534 billion.
Indian Nationals Departures
The Indian Nationals Departures already touched the 2019 levels in 2023.
The INDs during the January- June period this year were 1.50 crore as compared to 1.32 crore in 2023 and 90 lakh in 2022 for the same months. In 2019, the INDs were 1.33 crore. UAE was the most preferred destination for the INDs this year with almost one in four visiting the country. For almost half of the departures, the purpose was leisure holiday and recreation and about 2 percent went out for education.
Delhi is also the most preferred airport for those going out with about 25% share, followed by Mumbai with 20% share.
2019 vs 2023
The world witnessed the deadly outbreak of coronavirus infection in early 2020 forcing the nations to bar travel and tourism. However, over the course of time, particularly after 2022 the situation became normal with removal of masks and travel restrictions.
The FTAs during the calendar year 2023 were 92.36 lakh as compared to 64.37 lakh in 2022 between January and December. Bangladesh (22.27%) was the top source country for FTAs, followed by the USA (17.79%) in 2023.
The FTAs were 12.8 lakh in 1981 (calendar year), 16.8 lakh in 1991, 25.4 lakh in 2001, 63.1 lakh in 2011 and 1.09 crore in 2019. In 2021, it was 15.2 lakh.
FEEs during calendar year 2023 were Rs 2,31,927 crore or US$ 28.077 billion as compared to Rs 1,39,935 crore or US$ 17.611 billion in 2022. In 2019, it was Rs 2,16,467 crore or US$ 30.721 billion.
INDs during the calendar year 2023 were 2.72 crore as compared to 2.16 crore in 2022. In 2019, between January and December, 2.69 crore INDs were registered. UAE was the most preferred destination with about 26% share in 2023.
Tourism is one of the largest foreign exchange earners for any country. The importance of tourism as an instrument for economic development and employment generation, particularly in remote and backward areas, has been well recognised all over the world. The benefits of tourism can be enhanced either by increasing the number of tourists or by increasing the duration of stay of tourists in the country.
