India Aims for Top 10 Global Tourism Rank

India's tourism sector is poised to become one of the top 10 global destinations within the next five years, with its contribution to the economy expected to rise from 7.9% to over 10%. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized the importance of private investment through public-private partnerships (PPP) to develop new tourist attractions, particularly highlighting the potential of Buddhist tourism and domestic travel. Reports indicate a significant 48% increase in online searches for Indian destinations following the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating renewed global interest. Meanwhile, the meetings and conferences sector in India has rebounded strongly, with an 83% growth compared to pre-COVID levels, indicating that conference travelers significantly contributed to the trend. Senthil Gopinath of ICCA noted that while conference sizes have decreased, the frequency and demand for events have surged, particularly in emerging sectors like health and wellness. India has made substantial infrastructure advancements, but Gopinath stated that further development in the service sector is needed to fully capitalize on this growth potential.