Experts predict that Bharat’s Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2024 are poised to surpass pre-pandemic numbers, signaling a significant recovery for the country’s tourism industry.
According to a report by news agency ANI, industry analysts attribute this optimistic outlook to Bharat’s emergence as a preferred destination for travelers, driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on tourism in China.
The report highlights a remarkable annual growth rate of 305.4 percent in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, with 9.23 million visitors. While this figure still falls short of the pre-pandemic level of 10.93 million in 2019, industry experts express confidence that 2024 will witness a surpassing of these figures.
Speaking at the ‘Tres 2024’ event organized by Tres India, Dipak Deva, Managing Director of Travel Corporation of Bharat, expressed optimism about the industry’s trajectory. He highlighted a surge in inbound tourism over the past year, leading to what he described as possibly the best year ever for hotels. Deva predicts continued double-digit growth in the sector for the next few years.
One significant factor driving this growth is the recent orders placed by Bharatiya airlines for over 1000 aircraft, aimed at improving accessibility and connectivity.
Air India, Indigo, and Akasa have collectively ordered 1120 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, which is expected to enhance foreign tourist footfall. In addition, Bharat’s airport infrastructure has seen substantial expansion, with the number of airports doubling to 149 over the past decade, further facilitating connectivity to tourist destinations.
Looking ahead to 2026, Deva foresees Air India playing a pivotal role in driving inbound tourism growth, following its deal to acquire 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.
He also underscores the impact of decreased tourism demand in China, which previously attracted around 120 million inbound tourists, creating an opportunity for India to capture a larger share of the global tourism market.
In a projection for the future, FTAs are anticipated to reach 30.5 million by 2028, with the tourism and hospitality industry expected to generate revenue exceeding USD 59 billion. Noting, in 2023, foreign exchange earnings from tourism amounted to USD 28.07 billion.
As Bharat ranks itself as an increasingly tourists destination for international travelers, bolstered by infrastructure improvements and strategic initiatives, the outlook for the country’s tourism industry appears promising, with substantial growth anticipated in the coming years.
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