India's Tourism Sector to Gain From Global Uncertainty: WTTC CEO

Fourth-largest, stable economy to get higher share of international tourists

- GULVEEN AULAKH

India's tourism sector is poised for significant gains, potentially benefiting from shifts in global travel patterns amid geopolitical uncertainties, which have seen inbound numbers for the US fall for the first time, said Julia Simpson (pictured), chief executive officer (CEO) of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a global body representing the travel and tourism private sector and its numerous industries.

"The only economy in the world where we're seeing international visitor numbers dropping is actually the US at the moment," she said, pointing to data from the US Department of Commerce, which stated that a 7 percent drop in international visitors was seen in 2023 compared to 2019 levels.

"I think you will see some of those visitors looking further afield. If you are the fourth-largest economy in the world, you will also become a very important destination for international visitors, business leaders, and also people coming on leisure," she said, positioning India as a prime beneficiary, which also gets inbound travel from its large Indian diaspora as they come home or visit family and friends.