India on track to welcome 10 million foreign tourists by early 2026
India is set to welcome around 10-10.5 million foreign tourists by early 2026, almost reaching its 2019 numbers before COVID hit.
There's been a noticeable boost in visitors from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia this peak season, signaling a strong comeback for inbound tourism.
Still, not everyone in the industry is seeing the same results—some tour operators are busier than ever, while others say things haven't really changed.
Highlights from the report
Tourists aren't just sticking to the classic Golden Triangle anymore—they're staying longer and looking for more meaningful, hands-on adventures across India.
IATO president Ravi Gosain points out that experiential travel is on the rise.
However, challenges like tough competition, as noted by Tapas Banerjee, and limited impact from government promos, as mentioned by Dipak Deva, remain.
The industry's working hard to fully recover and meet these new travel vibes.