India Weaves Its New Tourism Story

• GST cuts and easier e-Visas boost domestic and international tourism.
• Focus on eco-friendly travel, local empowerment, and heritage conservation.
• Spiritual, cultural, and leisure journeys weave India’s vibrant tourism story.

I am not a traveller, I don’t chase horizons, I capture them in stories.

In the hush of a pre-dawn Varanasi ghat, where the Ganges mirrors a thousand flickering diyas like stars fallen to earth, a lone weaver threads his loom. Not silk or cotton, but dreams, strands of saffron sunrises over the Thar, emerald whispers from Kerala's tea hills, and the electric hum of Mumbai's monsoon markets. Each shuttle's pass binds yesterday's epics, Ashoka's edicts, Mughal minarets to tomorrow's holograms, where AI guides decode Devanagari scripts for global nomads. This is no simple craft, it's India's tourism alchemy, transmuting policy into poetry.

A New Story for 2025

As September 27 dawns World Tourism Day, under the clarion ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’ the loom quickens. As India gears up for World Tourism Day 2025, recent reports highlight a strong revival in travel. Domestic tourism surged 47% (Jan-Aug ’25 vs ’24), led by spiritual hotspots such as Chardham (+73%), Kedarnath (+39%), and Ayodhya (+40%), alongside leisure destinations including Kerala (+82%), Munnar (+80%), Kashmir (+78%), Shimla (+57%), Darjeeling (+60%), Ooty (+51%), and Goa (+27%). International travel searches also rose 44%, with short-haul favourites like Nepal (+78%), Thailand (+70%), and Dubai (+41%) leading the way, while religious and cultural trips such as Umrah grew 7%. Rising incomes, shorter domestic trips, and renewed interest in spiritual and accessible getaways are driving this momentum, positioning tourism as a key economic engine.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda, says, "World Tourism Day is a reminder of the need to keep travel accessible and affordable for everyone. Across Asia Pacific, accommodation searches for emerging cities now account for over 30% of overall searches in the first half of the year, and they are a big part of the region's growing tourism story".

GST Cuts Open Doors to Easier Travel

Think about that itch for a quick getaway maybe a weekend in the misty hills of Munnar or a lazy day on Goa's shores. Until recently, taxes made it a bit tough on the wallet. But on September 22, 2025, India's GST Council rolled out changes that feel like a friendly pat on the back. Hotels under Rs 7,500 a night like those charming family-run spots in Rajasthan or beach shacks in Kerala now carry just 5% GST, down from 12%. That's Rs 350 to Rs 500 saved each night, enough for a roadside vada pav or a boat ride at sunset. Flights for short trips, under Rs 2,500, also dip to 5% GST, so hopping to Jaipur or Pondicherry costs less.

Zostel’s CEO Aviral Gupta pointed out that cutting GST on hospitality to 5% makes travel and accommodation more affordable and will spur long-term growth in the sector.

Buses to far-off spots, like the winding roads to Ladakh, see taxes drop from 28% to 18%. Even simple joys, like a meal at a local eatery or a yoga class in Rishikesh, get lighter taxes. These tweaks aren't just for big spenders, they're for everyday people. Experts predict 25 million more trips inside India this year, pouring money back into small towns helping a potter in Khurja sell more clay lamps or a fisherman in Alibaug fix his nets. And with taxes on crafts like bamboo baskets or marble carvings cut to 5%, it's easier to bring home a piece of the story. It's like India saying, ‘Come as you are we've got you’.

EaseMyTrip’s Co-founder Rikant Pitti called it an ‘exciting time’ for tourism, noting that simpler slabs ‘will make travel more affordable for people and boost overall demand'.

MakeMyTrip’s Rajesh Magow likewise praised the move, saying lower taxes on budget hotels will make stays more affordable for a large share of Indian travellers, reinforcing demand in the domestic market.

Also Read: The Aggressive Impact of GST on OTA Giants & Startups in the Sky-Mobility Age

Visas Made Simple and Swift

Nothing kills the excitement of a trip like paperwork. But India's fixing that, one easy step at a time. Since early 2025, e-Visas have become a breeze, especially for people from the US, UK, or Japan. You can now get a 5-year tourist e-Visa for multiple visits, staying up to 180 days each time no more rushing back after 30 days. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in, and with face scans and quick checks, it's approved in under 72 hours. For summer fun, Chinese travelers pay just $10 for a 30-day visa, and Malaysians get theirs free until June 2025.

Women traveling solo now 40% more since the tough years love the extras, fast lanes at 12 big airports and safe spots to wait. Over 1.2 crore e-Visas went out last year, bringing 18 million visitors a jump of seven times since 2022. Land at 35 spots, from Mumbai's buzz to Kochi's calm ports, and you're in.

It's all about that old saying, ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ guest is God. Now, with trials for visa on arrival from places like Thailand, more neighbors are joining the fun.  No lines, no stress just the joy of saying yes to a spur of the moment trip.

Sustainable Steps That Feel Good Inside and Out

Travel isn't just about the sights, it's about leaving things better. That's the heart of this year's theme, and India gets it right. A whopping 73% of Indian travelers now pick green options way ahead of the world's 42% average. The 2025 budget gave Rs 2,541 crore to link 75 holy spots, like Ayodhya's paths, with apps for virtual walks that cut down on crowds. Programs like Paryatan Mitra train 10,000 locals young folks in Arunachal's hills or women in Tamil Nadu's villages to guide tours that respect the land.

Safety comes first right?

Rs 1,000 crore for cameras and quick-help apps in 50 busy areas keeps everyone at ease. Beaches stay plastic-free, and planes like IndiGo's try green fuels to ease the air. In Nagaland, crafts sell fair through simple tech, and rural roads 500 new ones get electric spots for quiet rides. Searches for eco-spots jumped 47%, from Maharashtra's forests to Telangana's adventure zones.

It's small acts like cycling rallies in Tripura or heritage walks in Goa that weave care into every step. This way, a trip to the Sundarbans tigers or Meghalaya's living roots bridge feels like giving back.

The Finish Line

India no longer waits to be discovered it awakens, breathes, and welcomes. From ancient temples to green trails, from bustling streets to quiet shores, every journey sparks a story, every traveler adds a thread, and every step weaves the nation’s vision of sustainable, vibrant, and boundless tourism.