India’s tourism industry is experiencing notable growth, fuelled by rising disposable incomes, a widening middle class and improved global connectivity. Reflecting the country’s growing influence in international travel and hospitality, India’s inbound and outbound offerings will be in focus during the forthcoming edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which takes place from 28 April to 1 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
According to Future Market Insights, India’s outbound tourism market is projected to reach USD55 billion by 2034, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4 percent over the next decade. This growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for international travel, particularly among millennials seeking diverse experiences abroad. Furthermore, research from STR suggests that India has increasingly become one of the most targeted source markets globally, with many destinations intensifying their efforts to attract Indian travellers.
In 2024, Dubai welcomed 3.14 million overnight visitors from South Asia, with India factoring predominantly, significantly contributing to the overall 18.72 million international visitors who made a trip to the city, representing a nine per cent year-on-year increase.
STR’s findings also reveal that hotel supply in India has increased by a CAGR of just over 3 percent in the past decade, with 114,000 new rooms added since 2014. Developer interest remains high, with hotel occupancy rates increasing in eight of the last ten years, reflecting sustained demand.
This will be underscored by the country’s participation at ATM this year, which is expected to grow 41 percent year on year, driven by a strong presence from exhibitors such as the India Ministry of Tourism, airline carriers Air India and Air India Express, and an expanding representation from the regional tourism boards of Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “India’s larger showcase at ATM not only highlights the country’s rich and diverse travel offerings, from luxury experiences and wellness retreats to cultural destinations and adventure tourism, but serves as a crucial platform for global travel exchange, enabling the international travel industry to tap into this lucrative market.”
India will be under the spotlight during the ATM conference programme which will feature 68 sessions across three content stages – the Global Stage, Future Stage and the new Business Events Stage. On 30 April, a panel of marketing leaders will discuss Multimedia: Connecting Global Audiences & Unlocking Hyper-Localised Campaigns, diving into the behaviours of markets such as India and China.
Meanwhile, The Big Ticket Events: Global Impact and Learnings session will explore two thriving sectors – sports tourism and events tourism – and will address how recent developments such as Saudi Arabia securing the rights to host Indian Premier League matches, will promote tourism between India and the Middle East.
On the final day of ATM, Euromonitor will offer global market insights into the APAC region, unpacking the leading trends influencing the region and providing a comprehensive overview of the trends that are leading the transformation of traveller profiles in Asia Pacific. Later that day, Shivani Gupta, Managing Partner, SPAG – A FINN Partners Company, will provide fascinating insights into India’s Next Gen Traveller, examining the key trends and strategies for capitalising on the world’s fastest-growing tourism market.
For its 32nd annual event, ATM will focus on the theme, “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”, across all show verticals. The theme underscores the importance of interlinking borders, industries, and communities to redefine the tourism landscape and drive sustainable practices that are essential for the future of travel.
