The Rise in Indian tourist travelling abroad in 2024: An Overview
India recorded 15.02 million Indian tourist travelled to top destinations in the first half of 2024 (January to June), showcasing a strong 13.73% growth compared to 13.2 million departures during the same period in 2023.
In 2023, a total of 27.3 million Indians traveled abroad, reflecting an impressive 26.25% increase from 21.6 million in 2022. However, this represents a modest growth of 1.13% compared to the pre-pandemic high of 26.9 million Indian travelers in 2019. These trends highlight India’s growing role in the global travel and tourism market.
As per latest reports from Ministry of tourism, in 2024 from January to August, 20.06 million(approx. 2 Cr.) Indians travelled to abroad.
Top destinations for Indian tourists
UAE is one of the top destinations for Indian tourist to travel abroad in 2024, closely followed by Saudi Arabia, USA, Thailand.
Top destination in August 2024
| Rank | Country | % share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAE | 26.3% |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 11.99% |
| 3 | USA | 7.96% |
| 4 | Thailand | 5.44% |
| 5 | Singapore | 4.31% |
Top destination in 2024(JAN – AUG)
| Rank | Country | % share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAE | 24.45% |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 11.88% |
| 3 | USA | 7.58% |
| 4 | Thailand | 5.98% |
| 5 | Singapore | 5.02% |
Read also: Foreign tourist arrivals in India: 2024
Why are Indians traveling abroad in 2024
42.1 of Indian travelled to outside India in first half of 2024 for Leisure Holiday and Recreation activities.
- Leisure Holiday and Recreation(42.1%)
- Indian Diaspora(35.1%)
- Business and Professional(14.7%)
- Pilgrimage(3.8%)
- Education(2.5%)
- Other(1.6%)
Gender wise distribution of Indians travelling abroad in 2024
More male Indians traveled abroad in comparison of Female tourist.
August 2024
- Male- 63.71%
- Female- 36.29%
- others – 0.00%
January to August (2024)
- Male- 65.57%
- Female- 34.46%
- others – 0.00%
Top cities from Indian tourist departure
Delhi was the top Departure station for Indian travelers, followed by Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai
| Rank | City( departure Point) | % share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | 24.35% |
| 2 | Mumbai | 19.98% |
| 3 | Cochin | 7.38% |
| 4 | Chennai | 7.09% |
| 5 | Hyderabad | 6.95% |
Middle east countries are the top destinations for Indian tourists. Indian outbound tourism in 2024 reflects a nation eager to explore, experience, and engage with the global community. Indian tourists are not just visiting foreign lands—they are bringing a piece of India to the world, fostering cross-cultural connections and contributing to the global travel economy.
Source: Ministry of Tourism
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