India has emerged as the world’s eighth-largest tourism economy in 2025, with a total contribution of approximately $231.6 billion to the global travel and tourism industry, according to data released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
This marks a significant rise in India’s standing from its previous position at tenth, indicating strong growth in its tourism sector despite global economic headwinds.
The list is topped by the United States, which continues to dominate with a contribution of $2.36 trillion, followed by China at $1.3 trillion and Germany in third place with $487.6 billion.
Other countries ahead of India include Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Mexico. Just below India in the rankings are Italy and Spain, making up the ninth and tenth spots respectively.
Globally, the travel and tourism sector contributed about $10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2023 and is projected to reach $16 trillion by 2034, which would account for over 11% of the global GDP. India’s rise in the rankings has been attributed to its diverse cultural landscape, increasing inbound travel, and efforts to boost infrastructure and tourism-friendly policies.
With 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India currently ranks sixth in the world in terms of cultural and natural landmarks, further enhancing its appeal as a global travel destination.
WTTC has forecast that India could climb further in the global rankings, potentially becoming the fourth-largest tourism economy within the next decade. This projection underscores the growing importance of India in the global tourism market and the sector’s role in contributing to the country’s economic development and employment generation.
