India Rises to 8th Spot Among World’s Biggest Tourism Economies in 2025: WTTC Report

India emerges as the world’s eighth-largest tourism economy in 2025.

According to the latest Economic Impact Trends Report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), India has made a significant leap from its previous tenth position to the 8th Spot Among the World’s Biggest Tourism Economies in 2025. The report highlights India's growing stature in the global travel sector, with projections placing it fourth within the next decade.

The global tourism industry is undergoing a strong post-pandemic resurgence. In 2023, the sector contributed a staggering US$10.9 trillion to the global economy, despite hurdles such as climate-related concerns and local tourism fatigue. The World Economic Forum (WEF) expects this figure to rise to $16 trillion by 2034, accounting for over 11% of the world’s GDP.

In 2024, the United States continues to dominate the global tourism landscape with a $2.36 trillion contribution. China holds the second spot at $1.3 trillion and is predicted to overtake the U.S. within the next decade. Japan has also made strides, ranking fourth with $297 billion in tourism revenue.

European nations—Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain—remain prominent players. Meanwhile, Asian destinations like Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, and the Philippines are rapidly gaining traction as tourism powerhouses.

Countries witnessing sharp increases in international tourism spending include Saudi Arabia (+91.3%), Türkiye (+38.2%), Kenya (+33.3%), Colombia (+29.1%), and Egypt (+22.9%).

India’s tourism sector contributed $231.6 billion in 2025, reflecting robust growth and strategic development in infrastructure, marketing, and service delivery. This upward trend underscores India’s potential as a global tourism hub and highlights the sector’s vital role in driving economic expansion and employment.