According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the Travel & Tourism sector in India is on a strong path to recovery and is expected to reach close to pre-pandemic levels this year. The sector is projected to contribute INR 16.5 trillion to the Indian economy, a mere 3.5% below the 2019 figures.

At the G20 Summit in India, Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, emphasized the sector's resilience and its growth rate, which is twice that of GDP not just in India but across all G20 nations.

The research also reveals that the Travel & Tourism sector in India is set to generate over 1.6 million new jobs this year, recovering almost all the jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will bring the total number of jobs in the sector to nearly 39 million, with approximately one in every 13 workers in India being part of the Travel & Tourism industry.

In terms of spending, international visitors are forecasted to contribute over INR 2 trillion, while domestic visitor spending is expected to surpass INR 12.6 trillion.

Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts that by 2033, the sector's GDP contribution will reach INR 36.8 trillion, making up approximately 7% of the Indian economy. Moreover, the sector is expected to employ over 58.2 million people, representing one in every 10 workers in the country.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Travel & Tourism sector's GDP contribution is projected to exceed USD 2.6 trillion in 2023, a 16% decrease from the 2019 peak. Although the region has seen job losses due to the pandemic, WTTC predicts a full recovery by the end of 2024.

The statistics highlight the potential for growth and job opportunities within the Travel & Tourism industry, emphasizing its significance for the Indian economy and the global tourism landscape.