UNWTO Ranking: What It Means for India’s Tourism Growth

When you hear UNWTO ranking, the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s official measure of global tourism performance. Also known as global tourism competitiveness index, it tracks how countries fare in visitor numbers, spending, infrastructure, and sustainability. India doesn’t always top the list, but it’s climbing — and for good reason. In 2023, India welcomed over 10 million international tourists, putting it in the top 25 globally. That’s not just a number — it’s millions of people choosing India over other destinations because of its culture, history, and value.

The UNWTO ranking, the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s official measure of global tourism performance. Also known as global tourism competitiveness index, it tracks how countries fare in visitor numbers, spending, infrastructure, and sustainability. doesn’t just count arrivals. It looks at how well a country protects its heritage, how easy it is to get around, and whether tourists feel safe. That’s why places like Jaipur and Agra show up so often in our posts — they’re not just pretty sights. They’re part of India’s official tourism infrastructure. The Taj Mahal alone draws over 6 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited heritage sites on the planet. And that’s not luck. It’s the result of consistent investment in preservation, accessibility, and marketing.

Uttar Pradesh leads India in tourist arrivals, with nearly 60 million visitors in 2023. That’s more than most European countries. But the UNWTO ranking also rewards countries that spread tourism beyond the big names. That’s why posts about Mysore, Hampi, and lesser-known trails in Ladakh matter. They show India’s depth. While Thailand and Bali dominate headlines for beach tourism, India competes on something rarer: centuries-old heritage, spiritual depth, and authentic experiences that can’t be copied. The UNWTO ranking rewards that kind of authenticity.

What does this mean for you? If you’re planning a trip, you’re not just visiting a place — you’re contributing to a system that’s being measured, tracked, and improved. Every time you choose a heritage hotel over a chain, take a local guide, or visit a protected sanctuary, you’re helping India climb higher in the rankings. And that means better roads, cleaner sites, and more resources to protect what makes India unique.

Below, you’ll find real traveler stories, cost comparisons, safety guides, and itineraries that reflect what the UNWTO ranking tries to capture — not just how many come, but why they stay, what they learn, and how they remember India. These aren’t just posts. They’re pieces of a larger story about how tourism is changing — and how you can be part of it.