The number foreign tourist arrivals in India during 2021 decreased to 1.52 million compared to 2.74 million in 2020, dropping by 44.5%, due to the restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the India Tourism Statistics 2022 report released on Tuesday stated.
However, the arrival of NRIs increased by 52.6% in 2021 as compared to 2020.
In 2019, India saw 10.93 million foreign tourist arrivals, which dropped by 75% in 2020.
In 2021, the top 15 countries from which foreign tourists arrived in India included the US, UK, Bangladesh, Canada, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Australia.
Also Read:Asian tourists expected to hit pre-pandemic international travel levels by 2024
These nations accounted for nearly 81% of foreign tourist arrivals in India last year.
According to the report, air travel was the most favoured mode of travel for foreign tourists with 87.5% opting for it.
The statistics further show that tourism continues to be an important foreign exchange earner for the country.
In 2021, foreign exchange earnings from tourism amounted to $8.797 billion as compared to $6.959 billion in 2020, a growth of 26.4%.
{{/usCountry}}In 2021, foreign exchange earnings from tourism amounted to $8.797 billion as compared to $6.959 billion in 2020, a growth of 26.4%.
{{/usCountry}}The number of Indian nationals departing the country saw a rise in 2021 as compared to 2020.
In 2021, 8.55million Indian nationals departed the country as compared to 7.29million in 2020- a 7.3% increase.
Domestic tourism in India saw a minor revival with an increase of 11.05%- while in 2020, the number of domestic tourists was 610.22million, in 2021 it was 677.33million, according to the statistics.