India has always been a land that has inspired travellers. The opportunity now lies in translating that timeless magnetism into a seamless, world-class experience that matches civilizational grandeur with contemporary excellence.
India stands at a fascinating juncture in its global tourism journey. A land of an 8,000-year-old civilization, 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hundreds of languages, and thousands of cuisines, it holds an unmatched cultural and historical inheritance. Yet, while Paris alone attracts 25 million international visitors annually, India welcomes just about 11 million. This contrast highlights not a lack of attractions but the urgency of converting the country’s treasures into a modern, globally competitive tourism economy that matches its civilizational grandeur.
The paradox is sharp. Greece, with barely half of India’s heritage sites, draws three times as many tourists, while India’s tourism currently contributes only 2.6% to GDP, far below the 10-15% levels in tourism-driven economies. The Sun Temple at Konark, one of the finest examples of 13th-century architecture, sees just 9,000 foreign visitors a year, while Peru’s comparable Sun Temple attracts 1.5 million. These figures reflect not a shortage of heritage, but the need for stronger accessibility, services, and promotion.
Infrastructure remains a foundational challenge and opportunity. Studies by the Ministry of Tourism covering 50 major destinations reveal a demand-supply imbalance in accommodation. India has about 2 million hotel rooms compared to China’s 20 million, and even the UAE—smaller than many Indian states—surpasses India in availability. Connectivity is another area of focus. With one of the world’s largest rail networks, India holds immense potential for modernization that can enhance last-mile convenience and create a more tourist-friendly ecosystem. The government’s recent GST 2.0 reforms, which streamlined tax slabs and lowered tariffs on mid-range hotel rooms, are expected to ease compliance, reduce costs, and make Indian hospitality more competitive. This rationalization is likely to stimulate demand and encourage new investments in the accommodation sector, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The Buddhist circuit illustrates what could be achieved with focused investment. Bodh Gaya, the site of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment, has the potential to become the “Vatican of the East” for over 535 million Buddhists worldwide. Yet, only about 200,000 pilgrims visit annually, despite estimates suggesting the potential for five times that number. Enhancing connectivity, amenities, and marketing here could unlock a vast flow of cultural tourism and position India as the spiritual hub of global Buddhism.
Temple tourism is another pillar of heritage-led growth. Accounting for around 35% of all domestic trips, it sustains millions of jobs in hospitality, transport, retail, and local crafts. With more than 500,000 temples—from Somnath in Gujarat and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to countless regional shrines—India’s temple circuits form one of the world’s most expansive living heritage networks. According to India Tourism Statistics 2023, pilgrimage sites generate over Rs 1.2 lakh crore annually, nearly 15% of sectoral revenue, while sustaining livelihoods in smaller towns through guesthouses, guides, food stalls, and artisanal crafts. Even modest improvements in cleanliness and accessibility at temple sites significantly raise visitor spending, demonstrating the multiplier effects of targeted investments.
Economic geography studies highlight the equalizing role of pilgrimage tourism. Destinations that upgraded approach roads, digital kiosks, and homestay networks recorded incomes growing almost four times faster than comparable areas. Ministry of Tourism assessments confirm that states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—anchored around historic towns like Varanasi, Omkareshwar, and Srirangam—consistently outperform national averages in tourism GDP contribution. Moreover, sustainable tourism research suggests that every Rs 100 crores invested in heritage conservation yields returns of nearly Rs 275 crores within three years, largely through longer stays and repeat visits. By aligning heritage conservation with modern visitor facilities, temple tourism can combine cultural pride with inclusive economic growth, empowering rural enterprises and diffusing tourist flows to smaller towns. The evidence indicates that temple circuits, if strengthened with connectivity, digital interpretation, and community-led hospitality, can serve as engines of balanced regional development.
Policy and workforce development are equally important. Financing conditions for new projects remain cautious, slowing the pace of accommodation and infrastructure expansion. At the same time, the demand for skilled professionals in hospitality and tourism continues to outpace supply. While the Skill India Mission and sector-specific training programs have created momentum, further expansion of apprenticeships, industry-academia linkages, and global-standard certifications will elevate service quality and strengthen competitiveness.
The government has recognized these priorities and responded with targeted reforms. The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated Rs 2,541.06 crore for tourism infrastructure, skills, and facilitation—a significant commitment. The flagship plan to develop 50 world-class destinations in collaboration with states marks a shift from scattered site development to holistic destination planning. Adding tourism to the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure has further encouraged private participation through PPP models. The PRASAD scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) is revitalizing spiritual destinations through better amenities, conservation, and sustainable planning, directly linking pilgrimage tourism to broader economic gains.
Digital transformation is another priority. The National Digital Tourism Mission and the upgraded Incredible India digital platform now use AI and IoT tools to give visitors real-time insights on weather, traffic, attractions, and safety. Visa facilitation reforms have reinforced these gains. The e-visa scheme alone drove a 37.2% increase in arrivals, and the e-Arrival Card launched in October 2025 promises further ease. Foreign Tourist Arrivals in 2023 touched 9.52 million, marking a 47.9% jump over 2022, with foreign exchange earnings rising by 36.5% to Rs 2,31,927 crore.
At the same time, sector-specific strategies are creating new opportunities. India is positioning itself as a hub for medical and wellness tourism, leveraging both its healthcare infrastructure and traditional medicine systems. Adventure tourism initiatives are capitalizing on the Himalayas, deserts, and coastal zones. The AYUSH visa category under the “Heal in India” campaign is drawing international visitors to Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic therapies.
Looking ahead, several priorities can accelerate this transformation. Expanding hotel capacity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities is crucial to unlock regional potential. Dedicated tourism infrastructure funds with concessional lending rates could reduce financing bottlenecks and encourage fresh investments. The Buddhist and temple circuits alike deserve renewed focus, supported by dedicated authorities and partnerships with cultural-majority countries for infrastructure, marketing, and connectivity.
Skill development too requires scaling up. Establishing Tourism Excellence Centres through industry-academia partnerships can close the skill gap, while mandatory apprenticeship programs and international certification tie-ups can raise service quality. Regional connectivity improvements—high-speed rail corridors between heritage cities, helicopter services for remote regions, and seamless local transport—can transform the tourist journey into a smoother and richer experience.
Technology can serve as a game-changer in bridging existing gaps. Smart tourism apps, AR/VR-enabled heritage site experiences, and AI-driven language translation tools can make Indian destinations more accessible and attractive to global travellers. Linking these with integrated digital payment systems and real-time grievance redressal platforms will further elevate visitor confidence and satisfaction.
India now stands at an inflection point where tourism could emerge as one of its largest engines of growth. With projections of the sector contributing Rs 22 trillion by 2025 and Rs 42 trillion by 2035, the stakes are enormous. The government’s push, combined with private participation and innovative strategies, provides a strong foundation. Achieving the vision of a USD 3 trillion tourism economy by 2047, welcoming 100 million international tourists and creating 200 million jobs, will require consistent execution and collaboration.
India has always been a land that has inspired travellers—from ancient pilgrims and traders to modern explorers. The opportunity now lies in translating that timeless magnetism into a seamless, world-class experience that matches civilizational grandeur with contemporary excellence. The real question is not whether India can rise to this challenge, but how swiftly it can harness its natural and cultural wealth to claim its rightful place among the global tourism giants.
Kartikeya Sharma is an Independent Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).
