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What’s Driving India’s Rise in the Global Tourism Sector? Key Insights from WTTC’s Latest Report

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released its 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report, highlighting a strong post-pandemic recovery for the sector. With India now ranking among the top 10 global tourism economies, this report is crucial for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, and other competitive exams.

Key Highlights from WTTC’s 2024 Report
Global Tourism Contribution: The sector added $10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2023, with projections to reach $16 trillion by 2034 (11% of global GDP).

Top Performers:
USA leads with $2.36 trillion, followed by China ($1.3 trillion).
India jumped to 8th place ($231.6 billion) and is expected to enter the top 5 within a decade.
Fastest-Growing Tourism Spenders:
Saudi Arabia (+91.3%)
Türkiye (+38.2%)
Kenya (+33.3%)
Colombia (+29.1%)
Egypt (+22.9%)

Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024
Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the TTDI ranks countries based on sustainable tourism policies. Key insights:
Top 5 Countries: USA, Spain, Japan, France, and Australia.
India’s Position: Ranked 39th (up from 54th in 2021), making it the highest-ranked lower-middle-income economy.
India’s Strengths:
Price competitiveness (18th)
Strong air & ground transport infrastructure
Rich natural & cultural resources (Top 10 globally)

Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Boosting Domestic Tourism
Launched to develop theme-based tourist circuits (e.g., Buddhist, Ramayana, Wildlife).
New Focus: “One destination at a time” for deeper impact under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Aims to enhance infrastructure, services, and local employment in tourism.

Sample Q&A for Competitive Exams
Q: Which country leads in WTTC’s 2024 tourism economy rankings?
A: The United States ($2.36 trillion).
Q: What is India’s rank in the 2024 TTDI report?
A: 39th (highest among lower-middle-income economies).
Q: Which scheme focuses on developing theme-based tourism circuits in India?
A: Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
Q: Name two countries with the highest growth in international tourism spending.
A: Saudi Arabia (+91.3%) and Türkiye (+38.2%).
Q: What is WTTC’s projected global tourism GDP by 2034?
A: $16 trillion.

Why Is This Important for Exams?
UPSC/SSC/PSC: Questions on global indices (TTDI, WTTC) and India’s economic progress are recurring themes.
Economic & Current Affairs: Tourism’s GDP contribution and policy schemes (Swadesh Darshan) align with syllabus topics.
Data Interpretation: Rankings, growth percentages, and comparative analysis aid in answer writing.