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Tourism in India#Outline of Tourism in India

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{{Update|date=July 2021|reason=Update on COVID-19 and tourism industry}}

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{{Indian culture}}

Tourism in India is 4.6% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Unlike other sectors, tourism is not a priority sector for the Government of India. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated {{INRConvert|13.2|lc}} or 5.8% of India's GDP and supported 32.1 million jobs in 2021. Even though, these numbers were lower than the pre-pandemic figures; the country's economy witnessed a significant growth in 2021 after the massive downturn during 2020. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 7.8% to {{INRConvert|33.8|lc}} by 2031 (7.2% of GDP).{{cite web |title=India's Travel & Tourism could surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022 |url=https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3d&portalid=0 |website=WTTC |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930103435/https://wttc.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9yRBCNeVfvw%3D&portalid=0 |url-status=live }} India has established itself as the 5th largest global travel healthcare destination with an estimated market size of around $9 billion in 2019, out of the total global travel healthcare industry of $44.8 billion(2019).{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | title=India eyes to be a huge medical tourism hub in coming years | newspaper=The Times of India | last1=Singh | first1=Harsimarbir | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=21 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321142453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-eyes-to-be-a-huge-medical-tourism-hub-in-coming-years/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | title=Medical value tourism in India: What makes the country a leading Medical Tourism Destination | date=27 September 2021 | access-date=13 October 2023 | archive-date=4 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204174617/https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/medical-value-tourism-in-india-what-makes-the-country-a-leading-medical-tourism-destination/2338644/ | url-status=live }} In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients travelled to India to seek medical treatment.{{cite web|title=Promotion of Medical Tourism|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|website=Press Information Bureau|access-date=28 April 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507161741/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144633|url-status=live}}

According to the Ministry of Tourism, over 6.19 million and 1.52 million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 10.93 million in 2019, representing a -44% degrowth.{{Cite web |title=India received 6.19 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during 2022 as compare to 1.52 million during the same period of 2021. |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1914516 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=pib.gov.in |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165259/https://pib.gov.in/ErrorPage.html?aspxerrorpath=/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Foreign tourist arrivals to India 44% lesser than pre-Covid level |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817080059/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/foreign-tourist-arrivals-to-india-44-lesser-than-pre-covid-level-1220840.html |url-status=live }} In 2022, Gujarat Tops India in Foreign Tourism with 20.17% Share in 2022. Gujarat rose as a global tourism hotspot continues with over 15.40 lakh tourists visiting in 2023.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/15-40-lakh-foreign-tourists-visited-gujarat-till-august-2023/articleshow/103966886.cms|title=Gujarat's rise as a global hotspot continues, with over 15.40 lakh already visiting in 2023|access-date=26 September 2023}} In 2023, 2509.63 million Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) were recorded (provisionally) compared to 1731.01 Million DTVs in 2022.{{Cite web| title=Tourism Expansion in India | url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106215159/https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/oct/doc2024103407001.pdf | archive-date=2024-11-06}}

The World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021, which replaced its previous Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, ranks India 54th out of 117 countries overall.{{cite web |title=Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |website=weforum.org |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=24 June 2022 |page=13 |date=May 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703090138/https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Travel_Tourism_Development_2021.pdf |url-status=live }} The last edition of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, published in 2019, had ranked India 34th out of 140 countries overall. The report ranked the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 13th out of 140 countries. It mentioned that India has quite good air transport infrastructure (ranked 33rd), particularly given the country's stage of development, and reasonable ground and port infrastructure (ranked 28th). The country also scored high on natural resources (ranked 14th), and cultural resources and business travel (ranked 8th).{{cite web |title=Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |website=weforum.org |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904142913/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf |url-status=live }} The World Tourism Organization reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among Asian and Pacific countries.{{cite press release |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |title=Rank in Tourism |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=8 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064856/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=103255 |url-status=live }}

The Ministry of Tourism designs national policies for the development and promotion of tourism. In the process, the Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various central ministries/agencies, state governments, union territories and private sector representatives. Concerted efforts are being made to promote niche tourism products such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism. The Ministry of Tourism maintains the Incredible India campaign focused on promoting tourism in India.

Visa policy of India

{{main|Visa policy of India}}

India requires citizens of most countries to hold a valid passport and apply for a travel visa at their local Indian embassy or consulate before their visit. Travellers can apply directly by mail or in person, or through their local travel services company. In 2014, India implemented an online method for citizens of 156 countries to apply for an e-Tourist Visa.{{cite web|url=https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html|title=e-Visa|publisher=Government of India|date=2014|access-date=26 November 2014|archive-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119134347/https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2014-11-27 |title=India launches e-visa facility for 43 countries |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/444168/india-launches-e-visa-facility.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019163041/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/444168/india-launches-e-visa-facility.html |url-status=live }}

Nationals of Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal do not require a travel visa to enter India. Citizens of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, DPR Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa and Uruguay are not required to pay a fee when obtaining an Indian visa.{{cite web |title=Indian Visa fee schedule for all nationalities |url=http://www.cgihk.gov.in/pdf/indian-visa-fee-schedule-for-all-nationalities.pdf |publisher=Consulate General of India, Hong Kong |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=29 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329052011/http://www.cgihk.gov.in/pdf/indian-visa-fee-schedule-for-all-nationalities.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf|title=Country/Territory Wise e-Visa Fee|website=indianvisaonline.gov.in|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912185501/https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf|url-status=live}}

During the pandemic year 2020, India had access to just 23 countries for travel, whereas now the Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 60 countries.{{Cite news |title=A complete list of 60 countries that offer visa on arrival to Indian travellers |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/a-complete-list-of-60-countries-that-offer-visa-on-arrival-to-indian-travellers/articleshow/93131778.cms |access-date=2023-08-17 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805165240/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/a-complete-list-of-60-countries-that-offer-visa-on-arrival-to-indian-travellers/articleshow/93131778.cms |url-status=live }}

A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter the states of Nagaland and Sikkim and some parts of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Special permits are needed to visit the Lakshadweep islands.{{cite web|title=Visa Information – India|url=http://indiatravels.info/visa-information/|website=indiatravels.info|access-date=17 November 2014|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517154647/http://indiatravels.info/visa-information/|url-status=dead}}

= e-Tourist Visa =

As a measure to boost tourism,{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/india-announces-visa-rules-boost-tourism-numbers-111726620.html|title=India announces new visa rules to boost tourism numbers|date=27 November 2014|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706042931/http://news.yahoo.com/india-announces-visa-rules-boost-tourism-numbers-111726620.html|url-status=live}} the Indian Government implemented a new visa policy in November 2014, allowing tourists and business visitors to obtain a "visa on arrival" at 28 international airports, by acquiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before arrival, without having to visit an Indian consulate or visa centre.{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-to-extended-visa-on-arrival-to-tourists-from-180-countries_909348.html|title=India to extend visa-on-arrival to tourists from 180 countries|publisher=Zee News|date=5 February 2014|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=29 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629135236/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-to-extended-visa-on-arrival-to-tourists-from-180-countries_909348.html|url-status=live}} In April 2015, the "visa on arrival" scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" (or "e-TV") to avoid confusion.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-changes-name-of-visa-on-arrival-scheme-to-e-tourist-visa-754929|title=Government Changes Name of Visa on Arrival Scheme to E-Tourist Visa|date=14 April 2015|publisher=NDTV|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424221552/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-changes-name-of-visa-on-arrival-scheme-to-e-tourist-visa-754929|url-status=live}}

The e-Tourist Visa facility requires a tourist to apply online on a secure Government of India website, at least four to thirty days before the date of travel. If approved, the visitor must print and carry the approved visa with their travel documents. The visa allows holders of an ETA to enter and stay anywhere in India for a period of ninety days except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time. an ETA can be obtained twice in a single calendar year.

India first introduced its "visa on arrival" facility on 27 November 2014, to citizens of the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu and Vietnam. On 30 July 2015, the facility was extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong.{{cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|title=Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from tomorrow|date=29 July 2015|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417192018/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123908|url-status=live}} On 15 August 2015, the facility was further extended to citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Belgium, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, Malaysia, Mongolia, Monaco, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|title=Press Note – Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to 36 more countries and 7 more airports from 15th August 2015|website=indianembassy.fi|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115144832/http://indianembassy.fi/pdf/Press%20Note.pdf|url-status=dead}} The facility should eventually be expanded to about 180 countries.

As a result of the new visa policy, 56,477 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa during October 2015, compared with 2,705 tourist arrivals during October 2014 (just before the facility was introduced), representing a 1987.9% increase. During the period from January to October 2015, a total of 258,182 tourists arrived on an e-Tourist Visa, a 1073.8% increase on the 21,995 tourist arrivals during the same period in 2014 (before the e-Tourist Visa was available).{{cite news|title=1988% growth registered in tourist visa-on-arrival in October|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/1988-growth-registered-in-tourist-visa-on-arrival-in-October/articleshow/49829917.cms|work=The Times of India|date=18 November 2015|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331165416/https://plus.timesofindia.com/toi-feed/config/toiw/trans/master?fv=1100|url-status=live}}

Statistics

=Domestic tourists =

During 2021, the number of Domestic Tourist Visits to the States/UTs was 67,76,32,981(677 million approx.) as compared to 61,02,16,157(610 million approx.) in 2020 registering a growth of 11.05%.{{Cite web| url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/Brief%20write%20up.pdf | title=Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits to States and UTs during 2021 | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=11 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011102240/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/Brief%20write%20up.pdf | url-status=live}}

=Foreign tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings=

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bar:January text:January

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bar:November text:November

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color:tan1 width:10

bar:January from:start till:959 text:

bar:February from:start till:1000 text:

bar:March from:start till:860 text:

bar:April from:start till:651 text:

bar:May from:start till:600 text:

bar:June from:start till:706 text:

bar:July from:start till:776 text:

bar:August from:start till:636 text:

bar:September from:start till:670 text:

bar:October from:start till:820 text:

bar:November from:start till:948 text:

bar:December from:start till:1030 text:

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pos:(50,37) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Tourist arrivals in 2024 (k)

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pos:(50,20) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Source: Trading Economics /

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pos:(50,3) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Department of Tourism, India

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class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Foreign tourist arrivals in India (1997–2022){{Cite web|title=India Tourism Statistics at a Glance|url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-09/English%20Tourisum%202021.pdf|access-date=2021-12-09|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031040717/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-09/English%20Tourisum%202021.pdf|url-status=live}}

! Year !! Arrivals (millions) !! % change

19972.373.8
19982.36−0.7
19992.485.2
20002.656.7
20012.54−4.2
2002

|2.38

|−6.0

2003

|2.73

|14.3

2004

|3.46

|26.8

2005

|3.92

|13.3

2006

|4.45

|13.5

2007

|5.08

|14.3

2008

|5.28

|4.0

2009

|5.17

|−2.2

2010

|5.78

|11.8

2011

|6.31

|9.2

2012

|6.58

|4.3

2013

|6.97

|5.9

2014

|7.68

|10.2

2015

|8.03

|4.5

2016

|8.80

|9.7

2017

|10.04

|14.0

2018

|10.56

|5.2

2019

|10.93

|3.5

2020

|2.74

| -74.9

2021

|1.52

| -55.4

2022

|6.19

|307.2

2023

|9.2

|48.6

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"

|+ Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India (1997–2020)

! Year !! Earnings (US$ million) !! % change !! Earnings ({{INR}} crores) !! % change

19972,8892.010,5114.6
1998

|2,948

|2.0

|12,150

|15.6

1999

|3,009

|2.1

|12,951

|6.6

2000

|3,460

|15

|15,626

|20.7

2001

|3,198

|−7.6

|15,083

|−3.5

2002

|3,103

|−3.0

|15,064

|−0.1

2003

|4,463

|43.8

|20,729

|37.6

2004

|6,170

|38.2

|27,944

|34.8

2005

|7,493

|21.4

|33,123

|18.5

2006

|8,634

|15.2

|39,025

|17.8

2007

|10,729

|24.3

|44,362

|13.7

2008

|11,832

|10.3

|51,294

|15.6

2009

|11,136

|−5.9

|53,754

|4.8

2010

|14,193

|27.5

|66,172

|23.1

2011

|16,564

|16.7

|83,036

|25.5

2012

|17,737

|7.1

|95,607

|15.1

2013

|18,445

|4.0

|{{formatnum:107563}}

|12.5

2014

|20,236

|9.7

|{{formatnum:120367}}

|11.9

2015

|21,071

|4.1

|{{formatnum:134844}}

|12

2016

|22,923

|9.1

|{{formatnum:154146}}

|14.3

2017

|27,310

|19.1

|{{formatnum:177874}}

|15.4

2018

|28,586

|4.7

|{{formatnum:194881}}

|9.6

2019

|30,058

|5.1

|{{formatnum:211661}}

|8.6

2020

|6,958

| -76.8

|{{formatnum:50136}}

| -76.3

{{col-end}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"

|+ Source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2022{{Cite web| title=India - Tourism Statistics at a Glance 2023 | url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805093025/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf | archive-date=2023-08-05}}

! Rank !! Country !! Number !! Share in %

1style="text-align:left" |{{flag|United States}}1,373,81722.19
2style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Bangladesh}}1,255,96020.29
3style="text-align:left" |{{flag|United Kingdom}}617,7689.98
4style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Australia}}369,0235.96
5style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Canada}}277,2914.48
6style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Sri Lanka}}177,6522.87
7style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Nepal}}135,3472.19
8style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Germany}}124,496|2.01
9style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Singapore}}117,195|1.89
10style="text-align:left" |{{flag|Malaysia}}116,5231.88
colspan="2" style="text-align:right;" |Total of top 104,565,07273.73
colspan="2" |Others

|1,626,327

|26.27

=Foreign and domestic tourist visits by State=

{{col-begin}}

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|+Share of top 10 states/UTs of India in number of foreign tourist visits in 2022{{cite news |date=28 July 2023 |title=India tourism statistic at a glance 2023 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234439/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date= |url-status=live }}

!Rank

!State/Union Territory

!Numbers in Million

!Share in %

1

| style="text-align:left" |Gujarat

|1.78

|20.70

2

| style="text-align:left" |Maharashtra

|1.51

|17.60

3

| style="text-align:left" |West Bengal

|1.04

|12.08

4

| style="text-align:left" |Delhi

|0.82

|9.50

5

| style="text-align:left" |Uttar Pradesh

|0.65

|7.56

6

| style="text-align:left" |Tamil Nadu

|0.41

|4.74

7

| style="text-align:left" |Rajasthan

|0.40

|4.62

8

| style="text-align:left" |Kerala

|0.35

|4.02

9

| style="text-align:left" |Punjab

|0.33

|3.84

10

| style="text-align:left" |Madhya Pradesh

|0.20

|2.38

colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total of top 10 states

|7.47

|87.3

colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Others

|1.11

|12.97

colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total

|8.59

|100

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"

|+Share of top 10 states/UTs of India in number of domestic tourist visits in 2022{{cite news |date=28 July 2023 |title=India tourism statistic at a glance 2023 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234439/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%20at%20a%20glance%202023%20-%20English%20version_0.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date= |url-status=live }}

!Rank

!State/Union Territory

!Numbers in Million

!Share in %

1

| style="text-align:left" |Uttar Pradesh

|317.91

|18.37

2

| style="text-align:left" |Tamil Nadu

|218.58

|12.63

3

| style="text-align:left" |Andhra Pradesh

|192.72

|11.13

4

| style="text-align:left" |Karnataka

|182.41

|10.54

5

| style="text-align:left" |Gujarat

|135.81

|7.85

6

| style="text-align:left" |Maharashtra

|111.30

|6.43

7

| style="text-align:left" |Rajasthan

|108.33

|6.26

8

| style="text-align:left" |West Bengal

|84.54

|4.88

9

| style="text-align:left" |Telangana

|60.75

|3.51

10

| style="text-align:left" |Uttarakhand

|54.64

|3.16

colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total of top 10 states

|1467.00

|84.75

colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Others

|264.01

|15.25

colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |Total

|1731.01

|100

{{col-end}}

World Heritage Sites

{{Main|List of World Heritage Sites in India|l1=List of World Heritage Sites in India|Tourism in India by state}}

There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India that are recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of August

2023.{{cite web |url= https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in |title= Properties Inscribed on the World heritage List |publisher= UNESCO |access-date= 1 October 2010 |archive-date= 2 May 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200152/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/world-heritage-day-five-must-visit-sites-in-india/article1-1338551.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419163624/http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/world-heritage-day-five-must-visit-sites-in-india/article1-1338551.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2015|title=World Heritage Day: Five must-visit sites in India}}

Responsible tourism in India

= Elephant camps =

Riding elephants is a popular tourist activity in India. While the total number of elephants used for tourism in India is relatively low compared to other Asian countries (350 in India in 2017 compared to almost 2,200 in Thailand{{Cite web |last=Hamdi |first=Raini |date=2019-12-12 |title=The Complicated Business of Saving Elephant Tourism: A Skift Deep Dive |url=https://skift.com/2019/12/12/the-complicated-business-of-saving-elephant-tourism-a-skift-deep-dive/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Skift |language=en-US}}), tourists will still have opportunities to ride elephants at historic sites and watch captive elephants perform in sports and shows{{Cite news |title=Elephant polo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/elephant-polo/articleshow/24376099.cms |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} and religious rituals.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-28 |title=Kerala: India temple replaces elephant with robot for rituals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-64740853 |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In early 2019, several prominent responsible tourism businesses including Responsible Travel and Intrepid Travel stopped selling tours including elephant rides citing reasons of animal cruelty and abuse. Later in 2019, The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) updated its animal welfare guidelines, labelling elephant riding as unacceptable.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-18 |title=Elephant rides and bathing now 'unacceptable' in latest UK travel association guidelines |url=https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/news/elephant-rides-and-bathing-now-unacceptable-latest-uk-travel-association-guidelines/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=World Animal Protection Australia |language=en-AU}}

Gallery

;North India:

File:Dal_Lake_Hazratbal_Srinagar.jpg|Dal Lake in Srinagar

File:Sultanpur_Bird_Sanctuary,_Haryana..JPG|Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon

File:Kashi_Vishwanath.jpg|Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi

File:Bhangarh_Fort_alwar.jpg|Bhangarh Fort, a very popular fort city in Alwar

File:Udaipur City Palace November 2013.jpg|Udaipur's City Palace

File:A view of Nainital lake with the morning mist.jpg|Boats on Naini Lake in Nainital city

File:Lotus Temple in New Delhi 03-2016.jpg|Lotus Temple in Delhi

File:Pangong_lake_-_Ladakh.jpg|Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh

File:Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe.jpg|Tso Moriri in Ladakh

File:Hamandir Sahib (Golden Temple).jpg|Golden Temple, Amritsar

File:Khajjiar.jpg|Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh

File:Sarayu_River_night_view,_Ayodhya_001.jpg|Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh

File:Pahalgam_Golf_Course.jpg| Pahalgam in Kashmir

File:Gulmarg - Jammu and Kashmir.jpg|Gulmarg in Kashmir

File:Sonmarg_rishav7336.jpg| Sonmarg in Kashmir

File:5 Nubra valley.jpg| Nubra Valley in Ladakh

File:Puga India 4500 m Elevation - panoramio.jpg | Puga Valley in Ladakh

File:Tomb_of_Mohammad_Shah.jpg|Lodi Gardens in New Delhi

File:Chattarpur_Temple.jpg|Chhatarpur Temple in South Delhi

File:Swaminarayan_Akshardham,_Delhi.jpg|Akshardham Temple in New Delhi

;South India:

File:Tirumala_090615.jpg|Tirupati temple

File:Coorg - The Scotland of India.jpg|Madikeri or Coorg in Kodagu, Karnataka

File:Grand_Canon_of_India_(Gandikota).jpg|Gandikota river valley in Andhra Pradesh

File:Harangi_Elephant_Camp_and_Tree_Park.jpg|Harangi tree park and reservoir in Kodagu, Karnataka

File:Ranipuram_hill.jpg|Ranipuram hills in Kerala

File:Boathouse in Allepy.jpg|Houseboat in Kerala backwaters

File:The Stone Chariot, Hampi.jpg|Stone chariot in Hampi

File: Kuduremukha-NationalPark Grassland.jpg|Grasslands in Kudremukh National Park during Monsoon

File:Mysore palace illuminated.jpg|Mysore Palace illuminated at night

File:The big temple.jpg|Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur

File:Idukki013.jpg|Idukki Dam in Kerala

File:Shravanabelagola Hillview.jpg|Gommateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola

File:Mamallapuram, Shore Temple, India.jpg|Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

File:Keshet neal island india.jpg| Natural bridge in Neil Island

File:Havelock_Island,_Ethereal_mangrove_tree,_Andaman_Islands.jpg|Beach on Havelock Island

File:The Coral Reef at the Andaman Islands.jpg|Coral reef in Jolly Buoy Island, Andaman

;Central India:

File:The Chitrakote Falls.jpg|Chitrakote Falls, the largest waterfalls in India at Jagdalpur

File:Laxman temple at sirpur,chhattisgarh,india.JPG| Laxman Temple, Sirpur

File:White Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat.jpg| Marble Rocks in Bhedaghat

File:0102621 Omkareswar Jyothirlinga temple, Mandhata Madhya Pradesh 005.jpg|Omkareshwar Temple in Mandhata

File:Marble Rocks, MP, India.jpg|Dhuandhar Falls

File:Gwalior Fort front.jpg|Gwalior Fort, oldest fort in India

File:Indore_Rajwada01.jpg|Rajwada Palace in Indore

File:MAHAKAL LOK UJJAIN.jpg|Mahakal Lok corridor in Ujjain

File:Patalpani_Waterfall.jpg|Patalpani waterfalls near Indore

File:Welcome_To_City_Of_Lake.jpg|Boating club in Bhopal, The City of Lakes

File:Stupa_1,_Sanchi_02.jpg|Great Stupa at Sanchi near Bhopal

File:1_of_the_rock_shelter_caves_at_Bhimbetka,_Madhya_Pradesh.jpg|Bhimbetka rock shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Bhopal

File:Khajuraho tempel india.jpg|Khajuraho temples

File:Collarwali Tigress of Pench.jpg|A Tigress at Pench Tiger Reserve

;West India:

File:Statue of Unity358.jpg |Statue of Unity

File:Kadiya_Dhro.jpg| Kadiya Dhro in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

File:Delight_india.jpg|Gokarna, Karnataka near Goa

File:Palolem beach.jpg|Palolem Beach in Goa

File:Kaas world Heritage.jpg|Kaas Plateau, part of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site

File:Nashik Clouds.jpg | Forts of Maharashtra are also called Green canyon of India

File:Lonar Sarovar lake Maharastra.jpg|Lonar Lake, a notified National Geo-heritage Monument

File:Sai_baba_samadhi_mandir_.jpg|Sai Baba temple in Shirdi

File:Alibag Sea beach, Maharashtra.JPG|Alibag Sea beach in Maharashtra

File:Beachtale.JPG|Candolim beach in Goa

File:Kailasa temple overview, Ellora.jpg|Kailasa Temple at Ellora

File:Elephanta Caves Trimurti.jpg|Elephanta Caves

File:Aguada Fort Top View, North Goa.jpg| Aguada Fort, Goa

File:Gir lion-Gir forest,junagadh,gujarat,india.jpeg|An Asiatic Lion family in Gir National Park

File:Indischer Maler des 6. Jahrhunderts 001.jpg| Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra

File:Lonavalamh.jpg|View of Western Ghats in Lonavala

;East India:

File:Konark Temple.jpg|Konark Sun Temple in Odisha

File:DSC_0764f.jpg| Dolphins in Chilika Lake, Satpada

File:Near Krang Suri Waterfall.jpg | [https://www.meghalayatourism.in/destinations/krangshuri-falls/ Krang Suri Waterfalls] in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

File:Rainbow Waterfall Meghalaya.jpg | [https://www.meghalayatourism.in/destinations/rongbangdare-waterfalls/ Rainbow waterfalls] in Meghalaya

File:Wei Sawdong Waterfall (6).jpg | Wei Sawdong Falls in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

File:Santiniketan-Griha-Southern-View.jpg|Santiniketan, West Bengal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

File:Bakkhali1.jpg|Bakkhali, West Bengal

File:Temple_No.-_3,_Nalanda_Archaeological_Site.jpg| Ancient Nalanda mahavihara

File:A View of Umiam Lake.jpg | Umiam Lake, Meghalaya

File:The Umngot River Boating at Dawki.jpg|Dawki in Meghalaya

File:Lotus_Jain_Temple.jpg|Shwetambar temple of Lord Parshvanatha, Parasnath hills

File:Mahabodhitemple.jpg|Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya

File:TOVP_BY_SANDIP_PAUL.jpg|Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, Mayapur, West Bengal

;NorthEast India:

File:Kangch-Goechala.jpg|Goecha La in Sikkim

File:Beauty_of_Kaziranga_National_Park.jpg|Kaziranga in Assam

File:Gangtok from Tibet Road.jpg|Gangtok from Tibet-Road

File:Gangtok 01.jpg|M.G Marg in Gangtok

File:The_Loktak_Lake.jpg|Loktak Lake in Manipur

File:Tawang Gate.jpg|Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh

Outline of tourism in India

{{#section-h:Outline of India|Tourism in India}}

See also

{{Portal|India|Society}}

References

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2017–18 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreports/Annual%20Report2017-18.pdf |pages=27 |publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Government of India |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150832/http://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreports/Annual%20Report2017-18.pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

Further reading

  • Gupta, S. P., and Krishna Lal. 1974. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YNC1AAAAIAAJ Tourism, museums, and monuments in India]. Delhi: Oriental Publishers.
  • {{cite book |last1=Goldberg |first1=Kory |last2=Decary |first2=Michelle |title=The Meditator's Companion to Pilgrimage in the Buddha's India and Nepal |date=2013|publisher=Pariyatti Publishing |isbn= 9781938754555|pages=455|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=98_HDwAAQBAJ |access-date=18 January 2025 }} (First Edition 2009)

External links

{{commons}}

{{Wikivoyage|India}}

  • [http://www.tourism.gov.in/ Ministry of Tourism, India]
  • [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ Visa on Arrival], Government of India
  • [https://www.gujarattourism.com/ Gujarat Tourism Official], Government Website
  • [http://www.jktourism.jk.gov.in/ Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Official] Government website
  • [https://himachaltourism.gov.in/ Himachal Pradesh Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://punjabtourism.gov.in/ Punjab Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://haryanatourism.gov.in/ Haryana Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/index.jsp Delhi Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/ Rajasthan Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://www.uptourism.gov.in/ Uttar Pradesh Tourism], Government of India
  • [https://www.karnatakatourism.org/ Karnataka Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://www.tourism.mp.gov.in/ Madhya Pradesh Tourism Official] Government website
  • [https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/ Maharashtra Tourism Official] Government website
  • [http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/ Telangana Tourism Official], Government of India
  • [https://aptourism.gov.in/ Andhra Pradesh Tourism Official], Government of India
  • Bradnock, Roma (2004). [https://books.google.com/books?id=nWKaR6LbEGcC Footprint India] Footprint Travel Guides, Bath, UK. {{ISBN|1-904777-00-7}}.
  • DeBruyn, Pippa; Bain, Keith; Venkatraman, Niloufer (2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=qG-9cwHOcCIC Frommer's India].
  • {{cite news |title=India in One, Two or Three Weeks |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/travel/through-indias-desert-cities-three-itineraries.html?smid=FB-nytimes&WT.mc_id=TR-E-FB-SM-LIN-II1-032812-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click |work=The New York Times |date=23 March 2012 }}
  • India's most famous tourism "[https://www.reddit.com/r/delhi/comments/1kef5lz/golden_triangle_tour_packages_an_introduction/ Golden Triangle Tour Packages]"

{{Tourism in India}}

{{Economy of India}}

{{Tourism in Asia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tourism In India}}