A recent survey by Booking.com, a leading global travel platform, has revealed that health and safety concerns are the primary reasons why foreign tourists hesitate to visit India. While the country offers rich cultural experiences, nearly 60% of international travelers cited these concerns as key challenges when planning their trips to the subcontinent.
Health Risks and Safety Concerns Top Tourist Worries
According to the survey, 32% of respondents expressed fears about health risks in India, while 27% were concerned about safety and security. These apprehensions were not only raised by potential visitors but were also echoed by past travelers. 16% of previous visitors mentioned health-related worries such as fear of illness, while 15% cited safety and security issues as their main deterrent.
Other Factors Less Impactful for Tourists
While health and safety remained the primary concerns, other factors like value for money, local interactions, and the diversity of experiences in India were not significant deterrents. Cultural differences (13%), language barriers (12%), and accommodation issues (8%) were also mentioned, but personal well-being was the dominant concern for most tourists.
Positive Aspects of Visiting India
Despite these challenges, the survey showed several positive trends. Among the 2,000 respondents from 19 countries, 44% had already visited India and planned to return, while 40% intended to visit in the future. Only 16% of previous visitors stated they would not return, with most citing health and safety concerns as the main reason.
India’s Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) Show Positive Growth
In 2024, India’s Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) increased by 9.1% compared to the previous year, but they still remain 9.8% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Experts predict that the FTAs may not fully recover until 2025, in part due to a decrease in tourists from Bangladesh and China, as well as competition from other popular Asian travel destinations.
Recommendations to Boost Tourism in India
To overcome these challenges, Booking.com has recommended several actions to enhance India’s appeal as a travel destination. These include improving air connectivity, streamlining visa processes, strengthening safety measures (especially for solo female travelers), and ramping up marketing campaigns to showcase India’s vast tourism potential.
Key Takeaways:
- Booking.com recommends improving connectivity, safety measures, and marketing to boost tourism.
- Health and safety concerns are the leading reasons why tourists hesitate to visit India.
- 32% of tourists worry about health risks, and 27% are concerned about safety.
- 44% of past visitors plan to return to India, while 40% intend to visit in the future.
- India’s Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) have increased by 9.1% in 2024 but are still below pre-pandemic levels.
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