The Ministry of Tourism, in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, recently tabled data on Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and Indian Nationals’ Departures (INDs) over the past five years. According to the report, India welcomed 99.5 lakh foreign tourists in 2024, close to the pre-pandemic peak of 1.09 crore in 2019. Nearly 90 per cent of these travellers arrived by air, making the airport their first impression of India. The arrival experience, clear signage, welcoming terminals, and efficient connectivity play a decisive role in shaping their onward journey. This also highlights the deep interdependence between civil aviation and tourism.
Meanwhile, a joint study with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry projects India’s outbound tourism to surpass US$44.7 billion by 2032, positioning the country as a key market for global airlines. Earlier this year, for example, Kerala Tourism partnered with Malaysia Airlines to launch the ‘Look East’ campaign. The initiative aims to encourage Indian travellers to explore East Asia while also attracting visitors from countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Laos.
Industry experts believe India’s aviation expansion will open new tourism corridors in the coming years, boosting regional economies and redefining the nation’s place in global travel.
“The government has already announced plans to develop 50 additional airports in the next five years under the UDAN scheme. Over the next decade, this is expected to connect 120 new destinations, providing a major impetus to tourism. New terminals are also under construction in Varanasi, Agra, Darbhanga, and Bagdogra—locations that are both culturally significant and high on the tourist map. Any capacity addition here will strengthen tourism, trade, and local economies,” says Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One.
Over the last decade, the government has also operationalised 12 Greenfield Airports out of the 21 approved in principle. These include Durgapur, Sindhudurg, Shirdi, Pakyong, Itanagar, Kannur, Kalaburagi, Orvakal, Shivamogga, Kushinagar, Mopa, and Rajkot, all of which occupy prominent places on India’s tourism map. International connectivity is expanding as well. Malaysia Airlines recently announced an increase to 80 flights per day from December, up from the current 77.
Carriers from the UK, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are also strengthening their operations in India, with British Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines adding capacity to meet growing demand. The upcoming Noida (Jewar) and Navi Mumbai International Airports, both expected to open by the end of this year, will further bolster the sector.
Historically, India offered limited options for foreign tourists in terms of luxury accommodations, and airport infrastructure was still developing. Over the years, the Tourism Department’s flagship campaign, Incredible India, has done a remarkable job promoting India overseas. Going forward, international roadshows and exhibitions present a great opportunity to showcase India’s modern infrastructure and world-class facilities, helping shape tourist expectations and highlight the country’s evolution as a top global destination
“While India’s aviation growth is remarkable, sustaining this momentum is critical to supporting tourism. Beyond capacity expansion and infrastructure, the industry must also address gaps such as the shortage of skilled pilots, engineers, and maintenance professionals. The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, for instance, currently meets only a fraction of domestic demand, with about 90 per cent of work still done overseas. These challenges need systematic attention if the aviation surge is to deliver its full benefits to tourism and related industries,” concludes Mr Mirchandani.