Rajasthan records 336 pc rise in foreign tourist visits in six years: Union Minister Shekhawat
Jaipur, Aug 7 (IANS) Rajasthan has witnessed a 336 per cent increase in foreign tourist visits over the past six years, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Thursday.
According to data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism based on information provided by the Rajasthan Government, foreign tourist visits (FTVs) rose from 4.46 lakh in 2020 to 19.45 lakh in 2025. The Minister said the Ministry of Tourism compiles tourist arrival data using information furnished by state governments and J&K administrations.
Domestic tourist visits to Rajasthan rose sharply from 1.51 crore in 2020 to 25.25 crore in 2025, reflecting a strong post‑pandemic recovery. Foreign tourist visits, which had fallen to 0.35 lakh in 2021 due to COVID‑19 restrictions, rebounded to 19.45 lakh in 2025, after peaking at 20.72 lakh in 2024.
The data indicates sustained growth in tourist arrivals, with domestic visits crossing 10.83 crore in 2022, 17.91 crore in 2023 and 23.01 crore in 2024, while foreign arrivals climbed from 3.97 lakh in 2022 to 17 lakh in 2023 before stabilising above 19 lakh over the past two years.
On tourism revenue, the Rajasthan Government has informed the Centre that location‑specific tourism revenue data is not maintained. However, increased tourist arrivals generally translate into higher hotel occupancy and overall tourism‑related economic activity.
Shekhawat said the identification, development and promotion of tourism destinations is a continuous process undertaken primarily by state governments and J&K administrations. He added that the Rajasthan Government is implementing comprehensive measures to strengthen tourism through infrastructure development and targeted marketing initiatives.
The Union Government is supporting these efforts by providing financial assistance under various central sector schemes, including Swadesh Darshan, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), among others.
The information was provided by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
–IANS
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