Domestic Tourism in India (2014–15)

Domestic tourism is one of the major engines of economic growth and development for many regions and states of India. Not only does it contribute to income generation (6.77% of gross domestic product or GDP) but also is the source of large-scale employment (43.8 million [mn] or 8.2%) in both formal and informal activities (NCAER 2012: 136–37).¹ Domestic tourism can also act as one of the channels to reduce interregional inequality through the spending pattern and multiplier effect generated across regions. For example, low income and growth regions can get the spillover effect of high-growth regions through development of domestic tourism. Further, with the growing economy and increasing income and spending of Indians, domestic tourism is considered a booming activity² with the potential to create large-scale employment opportunities,³ and contribute to regional development.

In this article, we look at domestic tourism using the national-level sample survey on domestic tourism conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2014–15. Domestic tourism is analysed in terms of number of tourists, number of households undertaking domestic tourism activities, number of trips that contributed to domestic tourism, and average tourism expenditure in India. The main objective of this article is to highlight the spatial nature of domestic tourism from the perspective of households, their main reasons for tourism in rural and urban areas, and their expenditure patterns. Additionally, we also highlight how this survey can be used by academics, researchers, and policymakers to understand not only domestic tourism but also other aspects of regional development through the lens of tourism.