India Sets 100 Million Visitor Goal for 2047 as Inbound Numbers Decline
India's tourism minister told a WTTC summit in Malta that the country aims to attract 100 million international visitors by 2047. The target comes as foreign arrivals fell to 9.2 million in 2025, down 9.4% from the previous year and 17% below the pre-pandemic peak. A business group warns that inbound travel could shrink another 15-20% in 2026 because the Iran War has disrupted long-haul air routes.
At the WTTC summit in Malta, India’s tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat set a 2047 goal of 100 million international arrivals. He named four priorities: political commitment, public investment, collaboration, and citizen involvement. The source notes no published roadmap for reaching that figure.
India counted 9.2 million foreign tourists in 2025, a 9.4% drop from 2024 and 17% below the 10.9 million pre-pandemic peak. Arrivals have fallen two years running. A PHD Chamber of Commerce report warns 2026 inbound travel may fall 15–20% as the Iran War disrupts long-distance flight corridors. The target implies at least 12% average annual growth.
A continued fall in foreign arrivals could pressure hotels, tour operators, guides, and small businesses that depend on international spending. If India pursues the 2047 goal, expanded tourism infrastructure and visa changes may create jobs, but could also strain local resources and communities. Long-haul route disruptions may make travel less accessible for overseas visitors, while domestic and regional travelers could become more important to the sector.