Domestic Tourism In India: 30 in 100 Trips Aren’t For Leisure

Think Indians travel for fun? This survey says otherwise.
Travel in India is generally linked to holidays, visiting family and religious excursions. But there is another side to this story. A lot of individuals travel for medical treatment, and this is influencing the travel patterns of India. A government survey shows the effect of healthcare needs on travel decisions and spending on these trips. It also provides a new viewpoint on domestic tourism in India, beyond leisure and sightseeing. For those planning a holiday, comparing best deals on hotel bookings online can help manage accommodation expenses.

The Data: Why Are Indians Travelling?
Medical Travel Comes At A High Cost
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions: Domestic Tourism In India
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The Data: Why Are Indians Travelling?

People at the airport
Image Credit: Freddie/Unsplash

The National Statistics Office’s Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey (DTES) revealed that almost 30 out of every 100 domestic overnight trips were for health and medical reasons. The period of the survey was July 2025 to June 2026. Religious travel and pilgrimage comprised around 48 out of every 100 overnight journeys.

For people planning leisure trips instead, all-inclusive India tour packages offer another option to consider when organising sightseeing and accommodation.

Also Read: Travel Trends 2026: Beauty Tourism is on the Rise

Medical Travel Comes At A High Cost

A Dermatologist Applying Facial Mask on Customer's Face — **A Dermatologist Applying Facial Mask on Customer’s Face**
**Image Credit: Ivan S/Pexels**

The survey indicated that the average expenditure on health-related overnight trips was ₹32,167. Average trip expenditure for rural households was ₹29,454, while for urban households it was ₹41,649. These are average trip expenditures, not simply transport costs.

Health and medical purposes accounted for 38.4% of all rural overnight trips, compared with 16.5% of urban overnight trips. This makes medical travel an important part of India’s domestic travel patterns. It also indicates that domestic trips in India fulfil diverse needs. For patients travelling to another city for treatment, comparing cheap flight tickets may help reduce travel expenses.

Travellers going abroad for medical consultations can explore online visa services for 180+ countries to check visa application options before departure.

Conclusion

The survey also points to why medical travel is an important component of India’s tourism scene. Healthcare is a reason for many people to travel, and it provides valuable context for understanding the increased interest in medical tourism in India. To summarise, domestic tourism in India is not confined to holidays and sightseeing, but reflects the basic requirements of travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Domestic Tourism In India

How many domestic tourists visit India each year?
India records approximately 2.9 billion domestic tourist visits annually.

How many foreigners visit India for medical treatment?
Around 500,000 to 640,000 foreign nationals arrive in India specifically for medical treatment each year.

Which state is no. 1 in tourism?
Uttar Pradesh is ranked number one in domestic tourism in India, attracting over 646 million visitors annually. Maharashtra is the top destination for international tourists.

What is India’s projected ranking in tourism by 2026?
India has achieved 31st rank globally in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026, jumping up nine places from its 2024 position.

Which country is no. 1 in medical tourism?
Canada ranks number one overall on the global Medical Tourism Index, while India ranks 10th globally and is the leading destination for affordable clinical depth.

Is medical tourism legal in India?
Yes, medical tourism is completely legal and actively supported by the government through dedicated initiatives like the Heal in India campaign and specialized e-medical visas.

Which country is ranked no. 1 in tourism?
France holds the top spot for the highest number of international tourist arrivals globally. However, Japan is ranked number one for overall tourism sector development in the 2026 World Economic Forum Index.

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Domestic Tourism In India: 30 In 100 Trips Aren’t for Leisure – But What Are They For?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Data: Why Are Indians Travelling?

Also Read: Travel Trends 2026: Beauty Tourism is on the Rise

Medical Travel Comes At A High Cost

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions: Domestic Tourism In India

Read More

Akbar Travels Services

Best Flight Deals

Domestic Flights

International Flights

Best Hotel Deals

Apply Visa Online

International Tour Packages

Domestic Tour Packages

Packages by Themes

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