India Prepares for a Surge in International Tourism Starting This October

India eyes stronger inbound tourism season

Inbound demand and the October window

The World Travel & Tourism Council recorded 18.6 million international visitors to India last year — a 7.4% decline over the prior year. The figure includes Indians residing overseas who traveled during the period. Domestic tourism has consistently outperformed international arrivals throughout this window.

The inbound season in India formally opens in October. Subhash Goyal, chairman of STIC Travel & Air Charter Group, told TTG Asia the sector expects growth driven by experiential travel demand and India's positioning as a cultural, wellness, and business destination. Goyal listed targeted promotions, improved air connectivity, and continued government support as the principal factors.

KB Kachru, president of the Hotel Association of India and chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, disputed the downtrend reading. Inbound tourism, he said, is not declining, and central and state governments, together with tourism and hospitality associations, are aligning on positioning India as a preferred global destination.

Bangladesh channel and accommodation supply

A principal driver this season is the resumption of tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens earlier this year, after a 2024 suspension tied to political tensions. Bangladesh had been India's primary inbound source market.

"Before the suspension of tourist visas, Bangladesh contributed over two million visitors annually. The demand is back now but there is a need to restore confidence of Bangladeshi tourists who are looking to visit India," said Debjit Dutta, chairman, West Bengal Chapter of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, per TTG Asia.

On the supply side, India Tourism, Varanasi conducted a workshop on August 22 for local homestay and bed-and-breakfast operators. The session covered registration procedures, compliance guidelines, and digital promotion, consistent with a wider effort to formalize short-stay inventory ahead of higher inbound volumes.

What to monitor

• Air connectivity. Schedule additions on Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and Gulf routes will determine whether the seasonal uptick materializes.
• Bangladeshi traveler confidence. Operators cite a need to rebuild trust beyond the technical visa reopening. Watch for group movement and charter patterns out of Dhaka.
• Permitted accommodation inventory. The Varanasi workshop signals a broader push to register homestays and B&Bs. Expect parallel sessions in other high-volume districts.
• Government promotion cycles. Federal-state coordination is in motion. Track Ministry of Tourism advisories for campaign timing.