India is not able to attract foreigners…. More than 3 times more tourists reached Vietnam, a country smaller than Rajasthan
New Delhi. In the first nine months of the year 2025, India was able to attract only 6.18 million foreign tourists. This figure is shocking, because Paris city alone has welcomed about 18 million international tourists in a year. Vietnam, very close to India, which is smaller in area than Rajasthan, has set a record of 20 million foreign tourists in 2025.
Is India no longer a budget destination?
Today India is neither cheap for foreign tourists nor for its own citizens. The cost of a domestic holiday sometimes exceeds that of an international trip to countries like Sri Lanka or Thailand. Domestic flights are expensive, hotels are overpriced and service quality is continuously declining. A good trip of one week in Vietnam costs 50 to 60 thousand rupees per person. The cost of a similar trip to Goa can be the same or more. This is the reason why many Indians are finding foreign travel cheaper and more attractive.
What is lacking in infrastructure and facilities?
Public transport in India is not reliable. At many tourist places, cab drivers refuse to follow the meter and form gangs and charge arbitrary fares. Last mile connectivity with metro cities is weak. Apart from this, pollution is also a big reason, AQI in the capital Delhi remains in three digits for months. Spitting in public places is common. Writing and damage are visible on historical monuments. Toilets are dirty and foul smell welcomes tourists at many heritage sites. In such a situation, people think a hundred times before paying the high price.
Why is security the biggest concern in tourism?
Security has become the weakest link of India. Incidents like molestation of Australian players during the Women’s World Cup, rape of a French tourist in Rajasthan and gang rape of an Israeli woman in Karnataka reach the international media. These incidents deeply affect India’s global image. People visit Bali, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai on the budget of Goa or Kerala. There is a separate tourist police in Thailand. The infrastructure there is better, the city is clean and the security system is strong. In such a situation, the question arises that why should anyone choose India, when the expenses are high and the experience is weak.
How can India strengthen tourism?
India has ancient temples, vibrant culture, deserts, mountains, beaches and forests. First of all, zero tolerance on safety is necessary. Cleanliness will have to be strictly enforced and citizens will also have to take responsibility. Balance between price and features, better service standards and professional promotion are essential. Tourism is not just a monument, it is an experience and that decides whether the tourist will return again or not.
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