South Korea Unites With Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Nepal And More In Powering India’s Tourism Surge, Setting New Milestones For 2025: What’s Behind The Growth

Published on December 12, 2025

South Korea Unites With Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Nepal, and other countries, has played a key role in powering India’s tourism surge in 2025, contributing significantly to the record-breaking foreign arrivals. This growth can be attributed to a combination of strategic government initiatives, such as the expansion of e-visa facilities and the “Incredible India 2.0” campaign, as well as enhanced infrastructure and connectivity. Together, these efforts have attracted millions of visitors, setting new milestones for India’s tourism sector and highlighting the country’s increasing appeal as a top global destination. The surge in foreign tourist arrivals, projected to reach up to 20 million by the end of 2025, marks a significant milestone for India’s tourism industry, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. With tourism revenue hitting $43.7 billion, the sector is proving to be a major driver of economic growth, supporting millions of jobs and contributing 6.8% to India’s GDP. Key Asian markets, including Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Nepal, have emerged as vital contributors to this upswing, reflecting growing travel interest from these regions. The expansion of India’s e-visa system, targeted promotional campaigns, and robust infrastructure improvements have made it easier and more attractive for international visitors to explore the country’s diverse offerings, from cultural heritage sites to medical tourism and adventure travel. With these factors combined, India is not just recovering from the pandemic; it is poised for long-term growth as a leading global tourism destination.

India’s tourism industry is experiencing remarkable growth in 2025, fueled by a surge in foreign tourist arrivals that has already reached a historic high. With projections up to 20 million visitors by the end of the year, India’s tourism sector is booming, attracting visitors from a wide range of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Australia, and Germany. Key Asian markets, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Nepal, have emerged as significant contributors to this upswing. But what exactly is driving this growth? In this article, we will delve into the factors behind India’s tourism surge, the role of e-visa initiatives, the impact of promotional campaigns, and the ever-expanding infrastructure that is reshaping the nation’s tourism landscape.

Record-Breaking Foreign Arrivals and Tourism Revenue in 2025

India’s tourism sector achieved a remarkable milestone in 2025 with foreign tourist arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic levels. As of August, nearly 56 lakh (5.6 million) international visitors had arrived in the country, with projections suggesting a total of 19.2 to 20 million arrivals by the end of the year. This marks an impressive 8-18% increase compared to 2024.

Foreign tourism revenue also saw significant growth, reaching around $43.7 billion, reflecting a 9.5% rise from the previous year. This substantial increase in revenue not only boosts India’s economic growth but also plays a vital role in job creation, supporting 40 million jobs in the tourism sector alone. The total contribution of tourism to India’s GDP is now estimated to be 6.8%, a clear indicator of how critical this sector is to the country’s economy.

The surge in arrivals is particularly notable in key source markets, including the United States, which contributed over 1.8 million visitors, as well as the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Australia, and Germany. These countries have long been significant players in India’s tourism, and their continued prominence reflects India’s increasing appeal as a global destination.

Key Drivers of Growth: E-Visa Expansion, Government Campaigns, and Infrastructure

A combination of government initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and targeted promotional campaigns has been pivotal in driving this surge in tourism. These efforts have made it easier and more convenient for international visitors to explore India, while enhancing the country’s global visibility as a travel destination.

E-Visa Expansion: Streamlining Access for Global Tourists

One of the key factors behind the growth of India’s tourism sector in 2025 is the expansion of the e-visa system, which now covers over 160 countries. The e-visa initiative, introduced by the Government of India, has significantly simplified the visa application process, making it faster and more accessible for tourists from key source markets like the US, UK, and Europe.

This digital system offers multiple-entry options for tourists, with visas valid for up to five years and stays of up to 90 days. This has not only encouraged repeat visits for leisure and business purposes but has also been a game-changer for medical tourism, with many international visitors traveling to India for world-class healthcare and wellness treatments.

The expansion of e-visa services has contributed directly to the 8-18% increase in inbound travel compared to 2024, making India more attractive and accessible than ever before. As a result, countries like the US, the UK, Japan, and South Korea, along with emerging markets like Vietnam and Uzbekistan, have increasingly been sending visitors to India.

“Incredible India 2.0” Campaign: Shifting Focus to Niche Markets

Alongside the e-visa expansion, the Government of India’s “Incredible India 2.0” campaign has played a vital role in driving tourism. The campaign, which focuses on promoting India’s cultural, heritage, wellness, adventure, and sustainable tourism offerings, has been strategically targeted at high-value markets.

The campaign shifts away from generic advertising to focus on more niche areas such as spiritual tourism, medical tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. By utilizing social media platforms, international fairs, and other global touchpoints, the “Incredible India 2.0” campaign has successfully positioned India as a destination for specialized experiences that cater to a variety of traveler interests.

With an ambitious target of increasing foreign tourist arrivals by 30% by 2030, the “Incredible India 2.0” campaign is crucial in shaping the future of India’s tourism industry. In addition to focusing on traditional markets like North America and Europe, the campaign also reaches out to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and East Asia, including countries like Vietnam, South Korea, and Thailand.

Infrastructure Boosts: Enhancing Connectivity and Accessibility

The improvement of India’s tourism infrastructure has been another key driver of the sector’s growth. The Government of India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, aimed at increasing domestic air connectivity, has made it easier for both domestic and international tourists to reach India’s tourist destinations.

The scheme has expanded air routes to several tourist hotspots, making it more affordable and convenient for travelers to visit lesser-known regions and cultural hubs across the country. In addition, the Budget 2025 allocated funds for 50 destinations, with a focus on public-private partnerships to develop and promote tourism infrastructure.

India’s airports have also seen significant upgrades, with new terminals, improved amenities, and better transport connectivity. This infrastructure boost, combined with visa fee waivers for select countries, has helped increase both the volume and value of tourist spending, contributing to the $43.7 billion tourism revenue.

The Role of Key Asian Markets: Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Nepal

While the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany continue to be major contributors to India’s tourism growth, several Asian countries have also played a pivotal role in driving this surge. Notably, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Nepal have all contributed significantly to India’s growing foreign tourist arrivals in 2025.

Vietnam: A Rising Contributor to India’s Tourism Growth

Although not yet included in India’s official top-10 source markets, Vietnam is a growing player in India’s tourism landscape. With increasing travel connections and growing interest in India’s spiritual, cultural, and medical tourism offerings, Vietnam’s contribution to India’s tourism sector is set to increase significantly in the coming years. While official figures for 2024 aren’t available, Vietnam’s presence in extended source market lists signals an emerging trend of Vietnamese tourists exploring India.

Thailand and South Korea: Strong Performers in 2024

Thailand and South Korea, both of which have long-standing tourism ties with India, continue to show robust growth in 2025. Thailand alone accounted for over 1.4 lakh (140,000) arrivals to India in 2024, with visitors drawn by India’s cultural offerings, wellness tourism, and the growing appeal of adventure and wildlife experiences. South Korea also contributed significantly, with 1.1 lakh (110,000) South Korean tourists visiting India in 2024.

These numbers highlight the broader East Asian interest in India, a trend driven by cultural and educational exchanges, as well as India’s expanding appeal as a medical tourism hub.

Japan and Singapore: Key Markets in Asia

Japan and Singapore round out the top contributors from Asia. With a long-standing relationship with India, Japan continues to be a major source market, driven by historical and cultural ties. Singapore, due to its strategic geographical location and strong economic links with India, has seen increasing numbers of tourists visiting India for leisure, business, and medical reasons.

Emerging Markets and Future Growth Prospects

As India continues to enhance its tourism offerings, the country is also looking toward emerging markets in Southeast Asia and beyond to sustain the growth trajectory of its tourism industry. The expansion of air connectivity, visa accessibility, and the promotion of India’s cultural and heritage experiences are expected to contribute to further growth in the coming years.

In particular, countries such as Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia, while not yet in India’s official top-10 list, are steadily gaining traction as source markets. Their growing middle class, increasing disposable income, and interest in India’s diverse tourism offerings suggest they will play a bigger role in India’s tourism landscape in the near future.

Conclusion

India’s tourism sector is undergoing a transformative period in 2025, marked by record-breaking foreign arrivals, growing tourism revenue, and increasing contributions from both traditional and emerging source markets. The combination of government initiatives like the e-visa expansion, targeted promotional campaigns, and infrastructure upgrades has positioned India as an attractive and accessible destination for international tourists.

Key Asian markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Nepal have been integral to driving this growth, while India’s rich cultural heritage, medical tourism, and diverse adventure offerings continue to captivate travelers from across the world. With these ongoing efforts and the continued focus on niche tourism sectors, India’s tourism industry is set to soar to even greater heights, making 2025 a landmark year for Indian tourism.

South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Nepal, and other key countries are driving India’s tourism surge in 2025, contributing to record foreign arrivals due to enhanced e-visa facilities, targeted marketing, and improved infrastructure. These efforts have positioned India as an increasingly accessible and attractive destination for global travelers.

As India paves the way for continued growth, the collaborative efforts with countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Nepal will help shape the future of India’s tourism, creating a dynamic and sustainable tourism ecosystem for years to come.