FAITH pitches Tourism Growth Charter as WTTC sees India's travel sector 4th-largest by 2036
Industry body FAITH used its annual conclave to seek infrastructure status, 50 new destinations, a Brand Bharat campaign and liberal visas. WTTC forecasts 8.5% growth lifting India to the world's fourth-largest travel market by 2036, with sector GDP contribution rising toward $527 billion.
What happened
Tourism body FAITH pushed a Tourism Growth Charter seeking infrastructure/industry status, 50 new destinations, a Brand Bharat campaign, and liberal visas, as
Key facts
- 8.5% growth
- $286 billion GDP contribution
- 4th largest by 2036
- $527 billion by 2036
- $264 billion 2025
- $38 billion intl visitor spend 2026
- $218 billion domestic spend 2026
- 50 destinations
- 100 million jobs by 2047
Why this matters
FAITH's push for infrastructure status, 50 new destinations, and liberal visas could unlock partnership and expansion openings, though at 72% confidence these remain policy asks rather than commitments.
What to watch
- Union Budget line items granting infrastructure status to hospitality
- MEA visa liberalization / e-visa country expansion announcements
- State tourism policy MoUs and Brand Bharat campaign funding allocation
- Foreign tourist arrival (FTA) monthly data confirming inbound momentum
- Hotel occupancy and ADR trends validating demand thesis
- Track hotel operators (IHCL, Lemon Tree, EIH) capex guidance and pipeline additions signaling infra-status confidence
- Watch OTA and travel-retail plays (airport duty-free, F&B concessions) position for inbound volume
- Monitor QSR and organized retail expansion into tier-2 destination cities named in the 50-destination list
- Assess airline capacity orders and regional connectivity (UDAN) linkages to new destinations