In the previous index published in 2021, India was ranked 54th. However, due to a revision in the WEF’s methodology, India’s 2021 rank was adjusted to 38th place.
According to the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India is ranked 39th among 119 countries. In the previous index published in 2021, India was ranked 54th. However, due to a revision in the WEF’s methodology, India’s 2021 rank was adjusted to 38th place, shared Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during a written reply in Rajya Sabha session.
Notably, the number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2023 increased to 95 lakhs as compared to 77 lakh in 2014, registering a growth of 23.96 per cent. As also highlighted by Shekhawat during one of his recent media interactions, to attract more foreign tourists, 100,000 tourists will now benefit from visa-free travel, a pilot initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism. Feedback and interest post announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, the minister said. Further, the government launched e-Tourist Visa in November 2014, which has helped the prospective visitors to apply for Indian visa online
In his written reply, he also mentioned about how Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.
He further shared the information about the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s launch of India’s official portal for Medical Value Travel (MVT), which is the Advantage Healthcare India portal. It is a “One-Stop” portal developed for the facilitation of information for those who want to avail medical treatment in India from abroad. Any international patient seeking medical care or wellness services in India can visit the Advantage Healthcare India portal.
