From searching for a destination on a smartphone to booking a hotel, discovering local experiences and navigating an unfamiliar city, technology has become an integral part of the modern traveller’s journey. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) begins to reshape how people plan and experience travel, India is seeking to position technology at the heart of its expanding tourism ecosystem.
This transformation took centre stage on World Tourism Day 2026, observed on September 27 under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”. The global theme focused on how digital innovation and AI can reshape tourism while making destinations more accessible, personalised, inclusive and sustainable.
For India, the timing comes as the tourism sector assumes a growing role in the economy and employment landscape. The sector contributed 5.22 per cent to India’s GDP and supported 8.46 crore jobs in 2023-24, according to the latest Tourism Satellite Account estimates cited by the Ministry of Tourism.
Tourist movement has also expanded significantly. Domestic Tourist Visits reached 428.55 crore in 2025, compared with 67.7 crore in 2021. Foreign Tourist Visits increased from 0.1 crore in 2021 to 2.53 crore in 2025, while foreign exchange earnings from tourism rose from ₹63,978 crore to ₹2,76,831 crore over the same period.
The scale of the sector is reflected globally as well. Travel and tourism contributed US$10.9 trillion, or 10 per cent of global GDP, in 2024, supported 357 million jobs and generated US$1.9 trillion in international visitor spending.
From guidebooks to AI-powered journeys
The way people travel is changing rapidly. A journey that once depended on maps, guidebooks and physical assistance can now be planned almost entirely through a smartphone.
India is responding to this shift by expanding digital platforms and using AI to make travel more seamless. The country’s digital tourism architecture includes the e-Visa facility, the Incredible India Digital Platform and NIDHI+, while newer initiatives are aimed at creating a more integrated digital ecosystem.
At the centre of the World Tourism Day celebrations in New Delhi, the Ministry launched the National Digital Tourism Stack, an open digital public infrastructure initiative intended to make tourism offerings more discoverable, accessible and trustworthy.
Another initiative, Dekho Apna Desh 2.0, is aimed at promoting lesser-known, tourism-ready destinations and helping distribute tourist footfall more evenly across the country.
The Ministry also entered into partnerships with industry organisations through MoUs to strengthen destination visibility, digital outreach, experiential and sustainable tourism, and community participation under the Incredible India framework.
e-Visa expands India’s global accessibility
India’s digital transformation in tourism begins even before an international traveller arrives in the country.
The e-Visa facility, introduced in 2014 with Electronic Travel Authorisation for nationals of 43 countries, has now expanded to 172 countries. Entry under the facility is permitted through 88 international ports, comprising 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports.
Around 78 per cent of visas issued by India are now electronic visas, while approximately 95 per cent of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours, according to the Ministry.
The expansion is aimed at reducing procedural barriers and making international travel to India more convenient.
Incredible India goes digital
The revamped Incredible India Digital Platform is taking the digital tourism experience further by bringing together information and virtual experiences across India’s cultural, heritage, adventure, gastronomical, wellness, art and craft, and rural attractions.
Its AI-powered features can personalise the visitor experience through tools such as real-time weather updates, city exploration and essential travel services.
The platform also connects travellers with Online Travel Agents and other tourism stakeholders for booking flights, hotels, cabs and buses, besides tickets for Archaeological Survey of India monuments.
Its integration with NIDHI+ provides information on registered tour operators and travel agents, bringing multiple aspects of the travel journey together digitally.
NIDHI+ builds a connected tourism ecosystem
The digital transformation extends beyond travellers to tourism businesses.
NIDHI+ – the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry – provides a unified digital platform for registration, recognition and classification of tourism service providers. It enables end-to-end online processing, integrated payments and transparent approvals while improving ease of doing business.
As of September 23, 2026, the platform listed 63,740 accommodation units, 54 convention centres, 215 food business operators, 1,450 online travel aggregators and 15,531 tourism service providers.
The platform is intended to create a more connected digital ecosystem in which tourism businesses, service providers and visitors can interact more efficiently.
Google partnership to bring AI into tourism promotion
India’s digital tourism efforts are also being supported through industry partnerships.
In June 2026, the Ministry signed an MoU with Google India to strengthen the digital promotion of Indian tourism through digital technologies, AI, data-driven insights and capacity building.
The partnership will draw upon global travel trends, traveller behaviour and digital engagement patterns to support evidence-based tourism promotion. It also includes training for Ministry officials in digital marketing, campaign optimisation, content creation and emerging technologies, including AI.
Digital innovation reaches smaller cities
Technology-driven tourism is not limited to India’s major metropolitan centres. The travel and tourism sector had 1,497 DPIIT-recognised startups across 262 districts as of April 17, 2023, generating employment for nearly 13,919 people.
Significantly, 58 per cent of these startups were based in Tier II and Tier III cities.
These enterprises operate across travel technology, online booking, homestays, rural and experiential tourism, smart mobility and AI-enabled travel planning.
Among the examples cited by the Ministry are Highway Delite, which has created a digitally connected highway amenities network; VilloTale, which promotes rural tourism through homestays and community-based experiences; and udChalo, which provides technology-enabled travel services to more than 2.8 million defence personnel, veterans and their dependents, supported by a network of over 70 booking offices.
A multilingual helpline for travellers
Digital assistance also extends to tourists who need information or support during their journeys.
The Ministry operates a 24×7 toll-free multilingual Tourist Helpline at 1800111363 and short code 1363. It provides travel information in 12 international languages, including Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
The helpline can also assist tourists during distress and alert the concerned authorities when required.
Beyond technology: India’s tourism diversity
While digital transformation is changing how people travel, India’s tourism proposition continues to rest on its extraordinary geographical, cultural and civilisational diversity.
From pilgrimage and heritage to wildlife, wellness, rural experiences, cruises and business events, the country offers a wide range of tourism experiences.
Spiritual and pilgrimage tourism
India’s pilgrimage landscape spans Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, with destinations such as Ayodhya, Kashi, Bodh Gaya, Amritsar, Tirupati and Puri drawing visitors from across India and abroad.
Government programmes such as PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan are supporting infrastructure and visitor amenities at religious and heritage destinations.
Buddhist and cultural circuits
Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, among other sites associated with the life of the Buddha, form an important part of India’s Buddhist tourism landscape.
These destinations also reflect India’s historical and civilisational connections with Buddhist communities across Asia.
India’s broader cultural tourism offering encompasses forts, palaces, temples, archaeological sites, museums and historic cities, along with classical dance and music, festivals, handicrafts and regional cuisines.
Wellness, wildlife and rural tourism
India’s traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda, combined with modern healthcare facilities, are creating opportunities in wellness and medical tourism.
Meanwhile, national parks, tiger reserves, wetlands, mangroves, forests and Himalayan landscapes are supporting wildlife and eco-tourism. Wildlife safaris, birdwatching, trekking and nature trails provide visitors with opportunities to experience India’s natural diversity while supporting conservation and local livelihoods.
Tourism is also moving beyond conventional destinations through homestays, village experiences, local cuisine, handicrafts, agriculture and community-led activities.
Such experiences allow visitors to engage more closely with local communities while creating additional income opportunities for rural households, artisans and local enterprises.
Cruise tourism opens a new frontier
India’s coastal and inland waterways are opening new avenues for tourism. Sea cruise passenger traffic increased from 1.08 lakh in 2014-15 to 4.62 lakh in 2025-26, recording a 328% growth. International cruise terminals at Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and Chennai have been upgraded and operationalised, while the East Coast Cruise Circuit has also been expanded with the addition of Puducherry.
Technology is further improving the cruise experience. A QR-based immigration clearance system has reduced immigration clearance time to about 30 seconds per passenger. Digitised customs procedures and e-Group Visit Visas are also helping facilitate smoother entry for international cruise groups.
Lighthouses become tourism destinations
Structures that once served primarily as navigational aids are now being developed as tourism attractions.
Under the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, the Government is promoting the use of lighthouses for educational, cultural and tourism purposes while preserving India’s maritime heritage.
Lighthouse museums at Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Alappuzha, Kannur, Muttom, Dwarka and Gopnath showcase the evolution of lighthouse technology and India’s maritime history.
Tourism facilities have also been developed at 75 lighthouses across the country, opening these maritime landmarks to visitors while preserving their historical and architectural significance.
MICE tourism and India’s business events ambitions
India is also seeking a larger role in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism market.
The Ministry has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for the MICE Industry and is strengthening infrastructure through venues such as Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi in Delhi and Jio World Centre in Mumbai.
The Government has identified the potential to develop at least 10 Indian cities, particularly in South India, as global MICE destinations.
The global MICE industry is projected to expand from US$870 billion to more than US$1.4 trillion by 2030. India currently accounts for around 5 per cent of the global market.
Infrastructure is widening India’s tourism map
Digital connectivity is only one part of India’s tourism transformation. Physical connectivity and destination infrastructure remain equally important.
Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry has adopted a destination-centric approach focused on sustainable and responsible tourism, tourism experiences and visitor amenities.
Regional air connectivity is also expanding. Since its inception, 687 RCS-UDAN routes connecting 95 airports have been operationalised.
The Modified UDAN scheme for 2026-27 to 2035-36 has an approved outlay of ₹28,840 crore, with plans including the development of 100 airports and 200 modern helipads.
The objective is to improve regional and last-mile connectivity to tourist destinations, particularly in underserved areas.
Swadesh Darshan moves towards destination-based development
The Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched in 2014-15, was designed to develop tourism circuits around identified themes.
The Ministry has sanctioned 76 projects involving more than ₹5,295.24 crore across 15 thematic tourist circuits. Of these, 75 projects have been physically completed.
The programme has covered Buddhist, Coastal, Desert, Eco, Himalayan, North East, Ramayana, Rural, Spiritual and Tribal circuits, among others.
Its successor, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, takes a destination-centric approach. So far, 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore have been sanctioned to improve destination planning, infrastructure and visitor experiences.
Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) initiative, another component of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, 37 projects worth ₹687.99 crore have been sanctioned for destinations with high tourism potential, particularly in spiritual and eco-tourism categories.
PRASHAD focuses on pilgrimage infrastructure
The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) was launched in 2014-15 to develop tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
The scheme provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories for integrated destination development, including visitor facilities, accessibility, cleanliness, safety and local livelihood opportunities.
Since its launch, 54 projects worth ₹1,726.18 crore have been sanctioned under PRASHAD.
The projects include tourist facilitation centres, sound and light shows, parking facilities, ghats, solid waste management systems, solar panels and CCTV installations.
Capital investment for iconic destinations
The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme supports the development of iconic tourist destinations to global standards.
Under the scheme, 40 projects across 23 States have been approved. The scheme received ₹3,295.76 crore in FY 2024-25, with 100 per cent Central funding.
For FY 2025-26, the amended guidelines allow eligible States that did not avail funds under Part III of SASCI 2024-25 to receive up to ₹250 crore for tourism projects under Part II.
Under these provisions, ₹250 crore each has been sanctioned and released to Nagaland, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh for tourism projects.
Investing in the people behind tourism
Tourism growth ultimately depends on the people who interact with visitors.
Under the Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) programme, the Ministry provides short-term training for skilling, upskilling and reskilling. The programme covers local communities, tribal areas and youth from underprivileged backgrounds.
A Quality Council of India evaluation in 2025 found that CBSP had trained more than 1.68 lakh people and placed over 36,000 between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25.
The Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi initiative, launched in 2024, trains local service providers in hospitality, cleanliness, safety and sustainability. Around 4,382 candidates have been trained so far.
The programme covers cab and auto drivers, transport staff, hotel and restaurant workers, homestay owners, guides, police personnel, street vendors, shopkeepers and students, with women and marginalised communities also included.
The Ministry is also revising the CBSP curriculum based on industry requirements. Partnerships with 21 Central Institutes of Hotel Management and eight leading hospitality groups are being used to strengthen professional training.
Tourism cooperation beyond India’s borders
India’s tourism strategy is also acquiring a stronger international dimension.
During India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026, tourism cooperation was placed on the agenda. The BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, held in Jaipur in August, concluded with the adoption of the Jaipur Declaration.
The declaration focuses on four areas: Artificial Intelligence and tourism; sustainable and responsible tourism; tourism skilling and capacity building; and tourism exchanges with seamless travel facilitation.
The initiative also supports cooperation in tourism planning, destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication and travel facilitation.
India’s G20 Presidency similarly provided an international platform to showcase destinations beyond the country’s major metropolitan centres. More than 200 G20 meetings were held across 60 cities, bringing India’s heritage, crafts, cuisines and cultural experiences to an international audience.
Celebrating tourism across India
World Tourism Day 2026 was marked through programmes across the country.
At the national celebration at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Ministry unveiled new digital and destination-development initiatives.
Telangana hosted cultural programmes, workshops, tourism film screenings, concerts and artisanal stalls featuring food, handlooms and handicrafts. The Telangana State Tourism Awards recognised contributions from travel agents, tour operators, hotels, restaurants and other recognised segments of the travel industry.
In Delhi, the two-day “RANG • RAS • ROOH” celebration was held at Baansera, the bamboo park at Sarai Kale Khan, on September 26-27, bringing together art, culture, food and entertainment, including a Qawwali evening by the Nizami Brothers.
The road ahead: a more connected tourism economy
World Tourism Day, an initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), commemorates the adoption of the organisation’s statutes in 1970. First celebrated in 1980, the day highlights tourism’s contribution to socio-economic development and its role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
For India, the tourism story is increasingly moving beyond the conventional idea of sightseeing.
It is becoming a combination of digital platforms and physical infrastructure, AI and human skills, global connectivity and local experiences.
The challenge ahead will be to ensure that technology does not merely make travel faster, but also makes tourism more inclusive and sustainable; that new destinations benefit local communities; and that the economic opportunities generated by rising tourist numbers reach people beyond the traditional tourism centres.
As India expands its digital tourism infrastructure, develops new destinations, improves connectivity and invests in the people behind the sector, the country’s tourism journey is entering a new phase – one in which the next destination may be discovered, planned and experienced digitally, but remains rooted in India’s communities, culture and diversity.
