Mountains, temples, beaches, and the like alone cannot be enough for the growth of the tourism industry. Good road facilities, transportation facilities including flights, various infrastructure facilities including accommodation, are also essential for the growth of the tourism industry. In addition to these, a travel experience that tourists will remember forever in their lives is also necessary.
Globally, indicators related to the growth of the tourism sector are assessed based on various such factors. Accordingly, in the tourism ranking list released in 2026, India has secured the 31st position. India, which was ranked 65th in this list in 2014, moved up to 39th place in 2024.
At present, India has advanced to the 31st position in this list, which includes a total of 160 countries. This reflects a growth of 4.3 percent compared with 2024.
Moreover, India ranks first among South Asian and middle-income countries. This is global recognition for the tourism-related policies formulated on the basis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of development and heritage.
The tourism sector is being ranked and assessed based on various factors. India is among the world’s top 10 countries in 13 of these assessment indicators.
Newly upgraded highways across the country, railway transport infrastructure facilities, new airports, and regional air services are among the measures that are set to give a boost to the tourism sector. Under the UDAN scheme, 95 airports have been connected through 687 routes.
India’s diversity is its greatest strength. Along with developing tourist destinations, the Union Tourism Ministry has also been focusing on their improvement.
Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, approval has been granted for 76 tourism projects worth more than Rs. 5,295 crore, based on 15 themes. Of these, 75 projects have been completed. As a second phase, 53 projects worth more than Rs. 2,207 crore are being implemented under this scheme. Under the PRASAD scheme, cleanliness, safety, passenger amenities, and employment opportunities are being improved at pilgrimage sites.
In order to promote the tourism sector, electronic visas are currently being issued to tourists from 172 countries. Of these, 92 percent of e-visa applications are approved within 72 hours.
The Incredible India digital platform, Nidhi Plus, and the multilingual tourism helpline have made tourism-related information and services easier to access. Along with providing various facilities to tourists, technology has become a key driving force in connecting various stakeholders such as small hotels, guides, tour operators, and service providers with large-scale markets.
The tourism sector contributes 5.22 percent to the country’s gross domestic product. In 2023-24, 8.46 crore jobs were created in this sector.
The foreign exchange earnings received by the country through foreign tourists stand at Rs. 2,76,831 crore. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the tourism sector is emerging as a key force in connecting India’s rich civilization with the world and in creating jobs across all regions.
