Somalia Outshines Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bhutan in Foreign Tourist Arrivals to India, Marking a Remarkable Increase in 2024

In 2024, Somalia has outshone Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bhutan in terms of foreign tourist arrivals to India, marking a remarkable surge in visitors. According to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Tourism, Somalia recorded an impressive 144% increase in tourist arrivals between 2019 and 2024, making it the top performer in growth. This exceptional rise stands in stark contrast to the gains made by other countries, including Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam, which also saw increases but at a much lower rate. Somalia’s achievement underscores a notable shift in India’s inbound tourism trends, positioning the country as an increasingly attractive destination for global travelers.

India’s tourism sector has experienced significant growth in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) since the pandemic, with Somalia standing out as the leader in terms of percentage growth. As per the latest data from the Union Ministry of Tourism, Somalia has seen a remarkable 144% increase in tourist arrivals between 2019 and 2024, making it the only country to achieve triple-digit growth. The number of Somali visitors to India grew from 5,044 in 2019 to 12,320 in 2024.

Despite this impressive increase, Somalia’s growth could have been even higher if not for a drop in arrivals from 16,607 in 2023 to 12,320 in 2024. Nonetheless, Somalia tops the list of countries with the highest growth in Indian tourism, signaling a positive shift in inbound travel.

Several other countries also saw impressive gains in tourist arrivals. Cambodia, for instance, saw an 81% rise in visitors, while Kazakhstan and Vietnam recorded increases of 72% and 61%, respectively. Bhutan, a neighbouring country, saw a more moderate increase of 47%, contributing to the overall positive growth trend for India’s inbound tourism.

In total, India recorded 99.5 lakh FTAs in 2024, which is just below the pre-Covid peak of 1.1 crore in 2019. However, the tourism industry remains optimistic about surpassing these pre-pandemic numbers either by the end of 2024 or early 2025. The industry attributes this optimism to focused efforts on improving visa processes, enhancing infrastructure, and increasing global promotional activities.

Inbound tourism to India is showing promising signs of recovery, with many operators reporting 10%-15% higher arrivals compared to the previous year. The recovery is being driven by renewed interest from North America, Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. The sector is also seeing a shift towards higher-quality travel experiences, with tourists opting for longer stays, increased spending, and a growing preference for sustainable and experiential tourism.

Early projections suggest that India could welcome between 1 to 1.05 crore foreign tourists in 2025, a figure slightly lower than the 1.09 crore recorded in 2019. Nevertheless, with continued policy support, especially regarding the facilitation of e-visas and India’s enhanced global presence, the sector is confident that India will surpass pre-pandemic tourism levels by 2026.

Regional Recovery in Foreign Tourist Arrivals: Varied Growth Trends

India’s recovery in foreign tourist arrivals has been uneven across regions. While the Americas, including the US and Canada, have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, other regions are still catching up. The Americas recorded a 20.8% increase in visitors in 2024 compared to 2019, now accounting for 23.8% of total FTAs, with 23.7 lakh arrivals.

In contrast, Asia and the Pacific, historically India’s largest source region, saw a decline of 22.6% in 2024 compared to 2019. Despite this, the region still contributed 43% of India’s total FTAs, with 42.8 lakh arrivals. The decline can be attributed to a drop in tourist numbers from South Asia (down 28.6%) and North-East Asia (down 49.4%).

Oceania, on the other hand, has experienced a strong recovery, with arrivals surpassing 2019 levels by 38.2%, driven primarily by Australia and New Zealand. Europe, which accounted for 26.7% of FTAs in 2024 (26.6 lakh arrivals), showed a smaller decline of 3.2% compared to 2019, signaling an almost complete recovery for the region.

Africa has shown near-total recovery, contributing 3.4% of India’s FTAs in 2024, while West Asia saw a decline of 14.1% compared to 2019, contributing 2.97% to India’s total FTAs.

Looking Ahead: India’s Tourism Prospects for 2025 and Beyond

India’s tourism industry is demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges, with strong growth from regions like Somalia and Cambodia. However, the recovery is not uniform across all regions. While some regions are struggling to regain pre-pandemic levels, others, like Oceania and the Americas, are already showing strong recovery.

Somalia Outshines Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bhutan in Foreign Tourist Arrivals to India, Marking a Remarkable Increase in 2024

With continued efforts in policy improvement, infrastructure development, and global positioning, India’s tourism sector is on track for steady growth. Industry leaders remain optimistic that the country will surpass pre-pandemic foreign tourist arrival numbers by 2026, reinforcing India’s position as a leading global destination for travelers.

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