Tourism in Global Markets
Tourism is often seen as leisure, but let’s be clear, it is serious business.
It’s where culture meets commerce, where infrastructure meets investment, and where nations tell their stories through the experiences of travelers.
Today, I want to speak about tourism not just as an industry, but as a global growth engine, a force for jobs, innovation, and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
And because I’m a big believer in storytelling through numbers, let’s start with the facts:
1. Tourism’s Contribution to Global GDP
In 2024, global tourism contributed nearly $9.5 trillion to the world economy, that’s about 9.1% of global GDP. For many developing nations, this figure goes well beyond 15%, underscoring tourism’s role as both an economic pillar and a growth multiplier.
When tourism grows, so do the sectors that support it, infrastructure, aviation, culture, and technology.
2. Tourism’s Contribution to Global Employment
The sector supports over 330 million jobs globally, that’s one in every ten jobs on this planet. These aren’t just traditional hospitality roles; they now include digital nomad services, experience curators, AI-based travel platforms, and local entrepreneurship.
Tourism is becoming a mass employment generator and skill accelerator in the new global economy.
3. Tourism’s Ripple Effect: Transportation, Hospitality, Food & Entertainment
Tourism doesn’t grow in isolation, it drives the world’s interconnected industries.
Transportation: Tourism accounts for 60% of global air passenger traffic.
Hospitality: Global hotel revenues exceeded $700 billion in 2024, with occupancy levels back to pre-pandemic highs.
Food & Beverage: Culinary tourism contributes over $150 billion worldwide.
Entertainment: From local festivals to global events, tourism powers cultural exchange and the creative economy.
When a tourist lands, the entire economy takes off.
4. The Global Tourism Ecosystem: Key Players
Tourism is a symphony played by diverse stakeholders, and here are its leading performers:
International Hotel Brands: Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Taj, setting global benchmarks in hospitality.
Airlines: Emirates, Lufthansa,Turkish , Singapore Airlines, and Air India — connecting continents and communities.
Tour Operators & Agencies: TUI, Thomas Cook, and digital natives like Klook and GetYourGuide — curating experiences for every traveler.
Digital Platforms: Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and MakeMyTrip, reshaping how we explore the world.
Together, they make tourism not just global, but personal.
5. India’s Role: The New Architect of Global Growth
Now, allow me to turn the lens toward India, because this is not just a global story; it’s also India’s story.
We are a startup nation, a space power, and the voice of the Global South, a country that negotiates with Washington, trades with Russia, competes with China, builds with Tokyo, and still finds time to send mangoes to West Asia and Africa.
The new India doesn’t ask for a seat at the table; we build the table and invite others to join.
And this isn’t rhetoric; this is reality backed by performance:
In the last quarter, India recorded a 7.8% GDP growth, while major economies are slowing down.
Our UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system, the world’s most advanced digital payments network, recorded a 34% growth in transactions from last year, crossing 20 billion transactions in a single month.
In value terms, that’s over ₹26.85 lakh crore, a 21% jump year-on-year — proof that India’s digital economy isn’t just transforming urban lives, but empowering the smallest entrepreneur in the smallest town.
This digital infrastructure directly supports our tourism and services ecosystem — enabling seamless, cashless travel experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
Digital transformation, physical infrastructure, and economic confidence — these three engines are propelling India into a new era of global leadership.
6. Tourism as a Bridge for the Future
Tourism is not just about destinations, it’s about diplomacy, development, and dialogue.
In a world divided by ideology and geopolitics, tourism remains one of the few forces that unites humanity — fostering understanding, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
As India steps forward, not just as a participant, but as a partner in global progress — we reaffirm our commitment to building a tourism model that is sustainable, inclusive, and tech-powered.
We don’t just want the world to visit India; we want to co-create the future of global tourism with the world.
Because when India rises, we lift others with us.
When India travels, the world connects.
And when India innovates, the world benefits.
Let’s not just move people across borders, let’s move minds, ideas, and opportunities.
