New Delhi, April 30 -- The disruptions caused by the covid pandemic are long over, but India's tourism industry is yet to register a meaningful recovery, with foreign tourist arrivals stuck below 10 million in 2024. This is particularly concerning since departures by Indians to other nations surpassed pre-covid levels back in 2023. A slow increase in tourist arrivals also does not bode well for the sector as it hinders companies' foreign exchange earnings.

A Mint analysis of tourism statistics released in March 2025 shows that foreign tourist arrivals to India rose consistently until 2019, hitting 11 million visitors. After covid led to lockdowns around the world, the number dropped to 2.7 million in 2020 and 1.5 million in 2021. While t...