How PM Modi's Appeal Has Impacted Domestic Tourism; Has Demand for Foreign Travel Declined?
The impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to avoid unnecessary foreign travel is now clearly visible within India's tourism industry. Travel companies and tour operators report that this summer, a greater number of Indians are opting for domestic destinations, while interest in international travel has begun to wane.
From Kashmir and Lakshadweep to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Kerala, and North Bengal, demand for popular domestic tourist destinations has surged rapidly over the past few weeks.
According to data shared by Intercity SmartBus, bookings on major tourism and pilgrimage routes—such as those leading to Dehradun, Manali, Goa, Tirupati, and Ujjain—have witnessed an increase of approximately 30–35%. The travel platform Skyscanner, in its "Smarter Summer Report," also said that nearly 90% of travelers now prefer to spend their vacation budgets in ways that support local businesses and boost regional economies.
Travel companies such as Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, and EaseMyBooking state that this season, Indian families are increasingly favoring short domestic getaways over vacations abroad.
Ravi Gosain, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, remarked that inquiries and bookings for international destinations have declined by approximately 10–15% compared to the previous season.
Conversely, domestic tourism is experiencing rapid growth. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, the number of domestic tourists in India has risen to 4.13 billion, underscoring the robust contribution this sector is making to the country's travel industry.
Massive Surge in Tourist Arrivals in Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep has emerged as a standout beneficiary of this shift toward domestic travel. Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism reveal that in 2020, these islands received a mere 3,875 tourists. By 2024, this figure had surged dramatically to 68,328. This surge was particularly evident following Prime Minister Modi's visit to Lakshadweep in January 2024. Photos and videos of this visit went viral across social media platforms, transforming these islands into one of India's most talked-about tourist destinations. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, there was a 47% increase in tourist arrivals.
Massive Surge in Bookings for Hill Stations
This summer, hill stations across the country are also witnessing tremendous demand. Travel industry experts note that travelers are now clearly showing a distinct preference for domestic travel destinations within India.
Rajesh Magow, CEO of MakeMyTrip, stated, "Over the past few weeks, hill regions have emerged as rapidly rising destinations in terms of bookings. People are now prioritizing domestic travel within the country."
Industry experts believe that a combination of factors—rising costs of international travel, growing interest in Indian destinations, and the Prime Minister's appeal—has inspired an increasing number of people to explore their own country rather than traveling abroad.