India Tourism to Hit $527 Billion by 2036, WTTC Reports

India's travel and tourism generated $263.6 billion and supported 46.2 million jobs in 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council's Economic Impact Research sponsored by Chase Travel [1]. The market is projected to reach $527 billion by 2036, elevating India from the world's 10th-largest tourism economy to fourth globally [1].

How fast is India's travel economy expanding?

India's travel and tourism market expanded by 7.3 percent in 2025, outpacing the global average growth rate of 4.1 percent, Asian Hospitality reported from the WTTC findings [1]. The industry contributed 6.6 percent to national GDP and supported more than one in 10 jobs across the country [1]. This pace will accelerate in the near term, as WTTC expects travel and tourism to outperform the wider economy in 2026, forecasting an 8.5 percent expansion in travel GDP to reach $286.1 billion while total employment reaches 48.1 million positions [1].

What role does domestic travel play in hotel demand?

Domestic tourism serves as the foundation of the market, generating $203 billion and representing 86 percent of all travel spending in 2025, according to Asian Hospitality [1]. Year-on-year domestic expenditures expanded by more than 10 percent, underpinning broad performance across hospitality assets [1]. WTTC research established that domestic movement anchors baseline revenue, while international visitors account for about 14 percent of total tourism expenditure, leaving room for India to capture a larger share of global travel demand [1].

What is the upside potential for inbound international travel?

International visitor expenditure is forecast to rise by almost 60 percent on the trajectory toward 2036, when the entire market will nearly double to $527 billion, according to Asian Hospitality [2]. Inbound travelers currently stay in India for an average of 18.5 days, which WTTC notes ranks among the longest stays globally [1]. Hotel operators and asset managers can position room packages and food offerings to serve these prolonged itineraries, supported by India's heritage, cultural, nature, and eco-tourism offerings that WTTC identified as drivers of longer stays and higher spend [1].

Which infrastructure projects and policies will unlock future growth?

Transport upgrades such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor will improve access to emerging destinations, WTTC highlighted in its recommendations [1]. To convert demand into revenue, the council called for improvements in digital public infrastructure, expanded overseas destination marketing, and expanded international air connectivity [1]. WTTC also recommended visa facilitation, including improved e-visa processes paired with security standards [1]. On the fiscal side, India's Union Budget 2026–27 places tourism at the centre of regional development, employment, and infrastructure, though Asian Hospitality reported that the hospitality industry's demand for infrastructure status remains unmet [[1], [2]].