International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in India reached 20.57 million in 2024, showing a strong recovery in inbound tourism with an 8.9% increase over the previous year

1. At a Glance

• International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) in India touched 20.57 million in 2024, an 8.9% YoY rise, surpassing the pre-COVID 2019 level of 17.91 million [1].
• Data is compiled by the Bureau of Immigration under MHA, with the tourism policy lead resting with the Ministry of Tourism [1].
• Significant for UPSC as a services-sector growth indicator, forex earner, and link to schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD [2][3].

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 05 Feb 2026 by the Ministry of Tourism announced ITA recovery data for CY 2024 (20.57 mn) signalling full post-pandemic rebound [1].
• Union Budget 2025-26 flagged tourism as a key driver for employment and growth with focus on medical tourism, heritage conservation, and infrastructure [4].

3. Background & Evolution

• ITA trend (in million): 2019: 17.91 → 2020: 6.33 → 2021: 7.00 → 2022: 14.33 → 2023: 18.89 → 2024: 20.57 [1].
• COVID-19 caused a ~65% collapse in 2020; recovery began 2022 after e-Tourist Visa restoration [1].
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme launched 2015; revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) in 2022 with destination-centric, sustainable focus [2].
• PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) launched 2014-15 [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India [1].
• Data source for ITAs: Bureau of Immigration (MHA) [1].
• ITA 2024: 20.57 million; Growth: 8.9% over 2023 (18.89 mn) [1].
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0: 57 destinations notified; 53 projects sanctioned worth ₹2,208.27 crore [2].
• PRASHAD Scheme: 46 projects sanctioned for pilgrimage infrastructure [2].
• Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): sub-scheme of SD 2.0; 42 destinations identified [2].
• Determinants of ITAs (per MoT): visa facilitation, health & hygiene, quality tourism infrastructure, seamless connectivity [1].
• Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) Jan–May 2024: ₹1,08,362 crore vs ₹88,441 crore (Jan–May 2023) → 22.52% growth [3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Tourism contributes to forex earnings, with FEEs growing 22.52% (Jan–May 2024 YoY) [3].
• Budget 2025-26 positions tourism as employment & growth driver, expanding medical tourism [4].

Administrative

• Implementation split: Centre (MoT) funds schemes; States execute on land/infrastructure — classic federal challenge [2].
• Data sourcing relies on MHA's Bureau of Immigration, not MoT directly [1].

Social / Heritage

• PRASHAD integrates pilgrimage and spiritual heritage, addressing domestic religious tourism demand [2].
• SD 2.0's destination-centric approach seeks community participation and responsible tourism [2].

Geopolitical / Strategic

• Visa facilitation (e-Visa regime) interlinks with MEA and bilateral tourism MoUs; positions India's soft power [1].

Environmental

• SD 2.0 explicitly targets sustainable and responsible destinations — aligns with SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption) [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 05 Feb 2026 — MoT releases CY2024 ITA figure of 20.57 mn [1].
• Budget 2025-26 — tourism flagged for medical tourism, heritage conservation thrust [4].
• 2024 — 57 SD 2.0 destinations notified; 53 projects worth ₹2,208.27 cr sanctioned [2].
• Jan–May 2024 — FEE crosses ₹1.08 lakh crore (22.52% YoY) [3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• ITAs in India in 2024 = 20.57 million [1].
• YoY growth in ITAs 2023→2024 = 8.9% [1].
• ITAs in 2019 (pre-COVID) = 17.91 million; 2020 = 6.33 million [1].
• ITA data compiled by Bureau of Immigration, not Ministry of Tourism [1].
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0 notified 57 destinations [2].
• 53 projects sanctioned under SD 2.0 worth ₹2,208.27 crore [2].
• PRASHAD = National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive [2].
• PRASHAD sanctioned projects: 46 [2].
• CBDD (Challenge Based Destination Development) is a sub-scheme of SD 2.0 with 42 destinations [2].
• FEE Jan–May 2024 = ₹1,08,362 crore; growth 22.52% YoY [3].
• Original Swadesh Darshan launched 2015; PRASHAD launched 2014-15 [2].
• Determinants of ITAs officially listed: visa facilitation, health/hygiene, infrastructure, connectivity [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Indian Economy — Services sector, employment generation, infrastructure.
• GS-I: Indian Heritage & Culture (via PRASHAD, heritage tourism).
• GS-II: Government Schemes (Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD).
• Sample Stems: 1. "Discuss how schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASHAD can transform India's inbound tourism. (250 words)" 2. "International tourist arrivals have rebounded past pre-COVID levels. Examine the structural challenges still limiting India's share in global tourism. (150 words)" 3. "Tourism is both an economic multiplier and a soft-power instrument. Comment in the context of India's 2024 ITA performance. (250 words)"

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — flagship destination development scheme [2].
• PRASHAD Scheme — pilgrimage infrastructure [2].
• e-Tourist Visa regime — key visa facilitation enabler [1].
• Dekho Apna Desh initiative — domestic tourism push.
• UDAN scheme — regional connectivity enabling tourist flows.
• UNWTO rankings & India's share — global benchmarking context.
• Medical Value Travel (Heal in India) — Budget 2025-26 thrust [4].
• G20 Tourism Track outcomes (2023, Goa) — sustainability agenda.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• ITA vs FTA: ITAs include NRIs; Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) exclude them — often conflated.
• Data source is Bureau of Immigration (MHA), NOT Ministry of Tourism directly [1].
• Swadesh Darshan launched 2015, but SD 2.0 launched 2022 — years often swapped.
• PRASHAD is for pilgrimage, not heritage monuments (that's HRIDAY, a separate scheme under MoHUA).
• CBDD is a sub-scheme of SD 2.0, not independent [2].