India’s tourism constraint lies not in demand generation but in converting existing momentum into higher economic value, according to Dr Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary and Director General of Tourism, Government of India.
Addressing the PATA India Tourism PowerHouse, Billa noted that despite strong domestic travel demand and significant infrastructure expansion, tourism currently contributes only 5.5% to India’s GDP. He stressed the need to pivot from volume-led growth to yield optimisation, strengthen destination management frameworks, adopt artificial intelligence, and embed sustainability to drive long-term, resilient tourism growth.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
