India Must Envision and Develop Ambitious New Tourism Projects

Destination management can be enhanced by deploying technology

- SUMAN BILLA

Our economy has been one of the fastest-growing globally, successfully doubling its per capita income over the past decade. This economic shift is driving a surge in consumption, with domestic tourism almost doubling from 1.28 billion in 2014 visitations to 2.51 billion in 2023. Even after refining these figures to include only leisure, shopping, and business travel, and taking into account only those staying in hotels and guest houses, the number reached a formidable 470 million domestic tourist visits in 2023.

Inbound international tourist arrivals have also increased from 13.1 million in 2014 to 17 million in 2023. But it is outbound Indian travelers going abroad that have grown significantly from 18.3 million in 2014 to 27 million in 2023. This figure might seem modest compared to our domestic travel numbers, but this exceeds the population of almost three-quarters of the world's nations. Our burgeoning outbound market has captured global attention, with many destinations offering visa-free entry and experiences tailored for Indians. Retaining a significant portion of these travelers within our country is both a challenge and an opportunity—as every dollar saved is a dollar earned.

India's tourism sector is at a pivotal juncture, with the potential to drive economic growth and create millions of jobs here. While demand for travel has surged, structural challenges like overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and governance gaps need to be addressed first. The robust demand for tourism has also created substantial supply-side pressures. Many popular destinations are struggling to accommodate the surge—hill stations are often overwhelmed during peak seasons. This overburdening is diminishing both the visitor experience and the quality of life for host communities.