Taj Mahal most-visited ticketed ASI monument in 2024-25

Mughal-era mausoleum Taj Mahal in Agra was the most-visited centrally protected ticketed monument for each home and international vacationers within the monetary yr 2024-25, in response to knowledge revealed in a compendium launched by the federal government on Saturday.

The compendium was launched by the Ministry of Tourism at an occasion held right here to mark World Tourism Day on September 27.

The International Vacationer Arrivals (FTAs) figures for India reached 9.95 million in 2024, reflecting a 4.52 per cent rise from 2023, it says.

Among the many centrally protected ticketed monuments, “Taj Mahal leads in customer numbers for each home (6.26 million) and international (0.645 million) vacationers in FY 2024-25”.

The grand mausoleum of white marble was constructed between 1631 and 1648 by the order of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in reminiscence of his spouse Mumtaz Mahal. It comes beneath the safety of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and can be a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

Different in style websites for home guests embrace the Solar Temple, Konark in Odisha (3.57 million) and Qutub Minar in Delhi (3.20 million). International guests favoured Agra Fort (0.22 million) and Qutub Minar (0.22 million) following Taj Mahal, it mentioned.And, arrivals of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in India reached 10.62 million in 2024, reflecting a 13.22 per cent improve over 2023 and a considerable 52.15 per cent rise in comparison with the pre-pandemic stage of 2019.”This sturdy rebound highlights the rising confidence of the Indian diaspora in travelling to India post-pandemic,” the compendium says.

Worldwide Vacationer Arrivals (ITAs) in India thus reached 20.57 million, reflecting a rise of 8.89 per cent over the earlier yr and 14.82 per cent in comparison with 2019, in response to the 260-page India Tourism Knowledge Compendium 2025.

On the occasion, Suman Bery, vice chairperson of the NITI Aayog, was the chief visitor. Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi presided over the occasion, whereas Suman Billa, extra secretary within the ministry, and different officers additionally attended it.

Bery, in his deal with, mentioned, “Tourism is not only about leisure; it’s a highly effective instrument for financial transformation, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion”.

Globally, it has been proven by numerous international locations that sustainable tourism can protect biodiversity whereas producing livelihoods. India has the identical potential, however “we should embed sustainability on the core of our technique, not on the margins,” he mentioned.

“As we sit up for Viksit Bharat 2047, our imaginative and prescient should be of a tourism sector that’s inexperienced, inclusive, and future-ready the place communities will not be simply individuals however beneficiaries, and the place India’s cultural and pure wealth is showcased to the world with delight,” Bery mentioned.

The tourism sector was hit globally throughout the COVID-19 interval, and in response to the newest compendium, the yr 2020 marked a major downturn because of the pandemic, with FTAs declining by 74.93 per cent to 2.74 million.

A gradual restoration was noticed in subsequent years, with FTAs rebounding sharply to six.44 million in 2022 (a 323.68 per cent improve) and reaching 9.95 million in 2024, reflecting a 4.52 per cent rise from 2023, it mentioned.

Additionally, age-wise FTAs in 2024 point out broad attraction throughout age teams, with the very best shares from the 35-44 years (20.67 per cent) and 45-54 (20.24 per cent) segments.

Vital contributions from the 55-64 and above 65 age teams counsel a rising curiosity amongst senior travellers, doubtless drawn by India’s wellness, heritage, and non secular tourism choices, it added.

“Whereas the 0-14 age group noticed a slight decline in comparison with 2022 and 2023, it stays important, highlighting sturdy household tourism,” the compendium says.

The gender-wise FTAs in 2024 present that “57.7 per cent males and 42.3 per cent females, reflecting a balanced gender distribution amongst international guests,” it added.

The compendium additional mentioned that in 2024, outbound journey from India continued its upward trajectory, recording 30.89 million departures, a development of 10.79 per cent over the earlier yr.

This sustained restoration underscores the resilience of India’s outbound journey market, supported by rising client confidence, increasing aviation networks, and rising demand for worldwide leisure and enterprise journey, it mentioned.

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates remained the main vacation spot for Indian nationals, adopted by Saudi Arabia, the US, Thailand, Singapore, the UK, Qatar, Canada, Kuwait, and Oman.

Collectively, these high 10 international locations accounted for about 71.16 per cent of all Indian Nationals’ Departures (INDs) throughout the yr.

Air journey continues to be the predominant mode of worldwide journey for Indian residents, with 98 per cent of Indian nationals departing by air in 2024. As compared, 1.46 per cent travelled through land routes, and 0.54 per cent used waterways, the compendium mentioned.

In 2023-24, the journey and tourism sector in India generated roughly 84.63 million jobs (together with each direct and oblique employment).

Throughout the identical interval, the sector’s complete contribution to India’s GDP stood at 5.22 per cent, reflecting its important function within the nationwide financial system, it mentioned.