High Travel Costs, Weak Global Branding Hurt India’s Tourism Growth
What Happened
Industry bodies expect foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India to remain largely flat this year, with the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) projecting 8-9 million international visitors in 2026. Industry executives cited global conflicts, higher airfares due to rising fuel costs, and weak overseas promotion of India as key reasons.
Key Takeaways
India continues to lag its pre-pandemic tourism performance. The sector is calling for stronger international marketing efforts and improved positioning of India as a global destination, as foreign visitor numbers remain below 2019 levels despite growth in domestic tourism.