Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has set an ambitious target for the Indian tourism industry, projecting it to contribute 10% to the country’s GDP by 2030 — a significant rise from the current 5% recorded in 2022–23. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Shekhawat emphasized that aligning India’s tourism share with global standards is both a strategic imperative and a reflection of the country’s growing economic strength.
“India will align with global standards, with 10% of GDP coming from tourism,” the minister said, adding that the rise of an aspirational middle class and increased participation in spiritual and experiential travel will be key drivers.
Highlighting recent developments, Shekhawat noted that the government is investing heavily in infrastructure — including roads, railways, and airports — while also focusing on enhancing the visitor experience at major cultural and spiritual sites. Citing the example of the Mahakal Corridor in Ujjain, which attracted over a million visitors in a month, he underscored how such projects are reshaping India’s tourism landscape.
The minister also stressed a strategic pivot toward domestic tourism, calling it a major growth engine for the sector. “India’s domestic tourists have the potential to become a larger contributor to the country’s tourism sector,” he said, indicating a reduced dependence on international arrivals.
In response to evolving post-pandemic travel preferences, the Centre has urged states to develop experiential tourism initiatives around heritage monuments. “We’ve asked the states to come up with new proposals,” Shekhawat stated.
Calling for robust collaboration between the government and private sector, Shekhawat urged businesses to support tourism by hosting events and conferences within India, thereby bolstering the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment. He also emphasized the need to improve flight capacity and streamline the travel experience to make tourism more accessible and appealing.
“The infrastructure status is going to give a major boost to private investments coming into the sector,” he added, referring to the government’s push to grant tourism formal infrastructure status. He also revealed that plans are underway to develop the next 50 tourism destinations across the country.
Addressing a session on “India’s Soft Power: Catalyzing Global Ascendancy,” Shekhawat remarked, “The perception of the entire world towards India has drastically changed as the perception of our citizens towards their own country has transformed. India is the only country in the world where people from all over come to gain knowledge and wisdom.”
The session also featured key industry voices, including Mr. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, who highlighted India’s global influence in digital innovation and cultural content.Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Ltd , Shashwat Goenka, Vice Chairman, RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, Rajan Navani, CEO, JetSynthesys Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman & MD, Obeetee & Luxmi Group, Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, ICRIER and Founder of Genpact. Jaju noted that India’s blend of tradition, creativity, and technology is positioning it as a global digital powerhouse. “This soft power will transform India into a future superpower,” he said.
As India charts its path toward becoming a top tourism economy, the integration of culture, infrastructure, and innovation remains central to its strategy — with 2030 set as the milestone year for a transformative leap in the sector’s economic contribution.
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