You have 0 items in your cart
With a forecast of about 2.5 million Indian tourists in Italy by 2030—representing an 82% increase compared to 2023—the Indian tourism market presents an unmissable opportunity for the European tourism sector.
The new market report by Thrends reveals that India, currently the fifth-largest global economy and the most populous nation in the world, is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most promising markets for tourism in Europe. Thanks to its growing middle class, the strong propensity of young people to travel, the evolution of airlines, and new visa facilitations, the number of Indian tourists in Europe is set to increase significantly in the coming years.
With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is the world’s most populous country and, with an average age of 28.6 years, boasts a young and dynamic population. Statistics show that over 40% of Indians are under 25 years old, and in 2023, a salary increase of 10% was recorded—the highest since 2020. These factors contribute to an expectation of continuous growth in purchasing power, making overseas travel increasingly accessible.
India also ranks as the 5th largest economy globally, reaching €3.188 trillion in 2023 and projected to reach €6 trillion by the end of the decade. The Indian outbound tourism market has already generated a turnover of over $15 billion in 2022, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% until 2032.
In this context, Italy is preparing to receive a growing number of Indian tourists. In 2023, over 91,000 Indians applied for visas to visit Italy—a number destined to grow further thanks to the opening of a dedicated visa center in New Delhi and the new Italian consulate in Bangalore.
The growth drivers of Indian tourism are also propelled by the expansion of the Indian aviation industry. Air India, with a record order of 470 new aircraft (an investment of approximately €70 billion), aims to become one of the world’s leading carriers, further facilitating tourist flows to Europe.
The Indian market grew at a CAGR of 14.8% between 2013 and 2019, with an increase in the average stay from 2.3 days during the 2013-2019 period to 2.8 days in 2023. The most sought-after Italian destinations include Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast, with the top five regions absorbing 85% of all Indian overnight stays (Lazio, Lombardy, Campania, Tuscany, and Veneto).
The estimate of 2.5 million Indian tourists by 2030 considers rationales such as the CAGR from 2007 to 2023 in Italy (9%), the growth in the last decade (+126% from 2013 to 2023), as well as macroeconomic factors like the growth in international departures (+12% outbound departures in the first half of 2024 vs. 2019) and the fact that India has the highest CAGR in outbound travel spending (latest estimate: 2019).
Thanks to collaboration with Lybra Tech, online accommodation searches by Indians indicate a 24% increase in search volume between 2024 and 2023. The data highlight a booking window of about three months, with hotels being the primary choice, mainly searched by couples.
India thus confirms itself as a crucial market for the future of European tourism, and the industry is called upon to respond to these new opportunities with innovative and targeted strategies.
For more information:
Andrea Agazzani | Head of Market Research
