Spiritual Tourism in India: A Booming Industry
India, often called the world’s “spiritual supermarket,” has turned its ancient sacred sites into one of the fastest-growing tourism segments. The religious and spiritual market reached US$65 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit US$135 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.6%. Spiritual tourism alone is expected to reach US$59 billion by 2028, employing over 100 million people by 2030. Key Statistics - Domestic spiritual travellers: 1.43 billion in 2022 (over 60% of all domestic trips), up from 677 million in 2021 - International spiritual visitors: 6.64 million in 2022; inbound spiritual tourism surged 21.4% in 2025, driven by events like Maha Kumbh - Contributes 8–10% of India’s tourism GDP; overall tourism sector: US$231.6 billion in 2024 (6.6% of GDP) - Top states by domestic visitors (2024): Uttar Pradesh (318 million), Tamil Nadu (200 million), Karnataka (150 million); spiritual sites like Vaishno Devi saw 85% occupancy in peak seasons - Faith-based tourism market: US$...