Encouraging an Increase in Southeast Asian Tourists to Discover Indian Coastlines

India is intensifying its efforts to strengthen relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through tourism, as evidenced by a series of initiatives and pledges made in recent years.

One of the key focus areas is sustainable tourism, with both ASEAN and India referencing their respective Action Roadmaps, such as the ASEAN's Action Roadmap and India's Goa Roadmap. This commitment to sustainable tourism is expected to guide the joint initiatives that India and ASEAN plan to implement from 2023 to 2027.

In a significant move, India pledged US$5 million (162 million baht) to the Asean-India Tourism Fund. This funding will support joint initiatives under the 2023-2027 work plan, aimed at fostering cooperation and collaboration in the tourism sector.

The Indian Embassy in Bangkok took the lead in promoting travel exchanges, organising the "India-ASEAN Tourism Roadshow" to showcase the diverse culture, rich history, and unique tourist destinations that India has to offer.

Thailand was a significant destination, welcoming around 2.12 million Indian tourists in 2024. Indian tourists were the third-largest group of arrivals in Thailand after Chinese and Malaysian travelers in the same year. However, the number of Thais visiting India was much lower, with only about 130,000 Thais visiting India in the same period. ASEAN nations collectively contributed 662,605 visitor arrivals to India in the same year.

To address this tourism imbalance, Ms Tripathi, a prominent figure in India's tourism sector, stated that India aims to reverse the trend. She expects greater tourism flows from India in 2025, supported by enhanced connectivity, strategic marketing, and business engagement.

In line with this goal, tailored programs for ASEAN tour operators, cultural exchanges, and hospitality training are being developed. Cruise tourism has been identified as a priority for India and ASEAN, with the potential to significantly boost tourism numbers.

2025 has been designated as the "India-Asean Tourism Year," marking a renewed focus on strengthening ties between the two regions through tourism. This focus was further emphasised by India's participation in the Pacific Asia Travel Association Travel Mart 2025.

Long-term cooperation is the goal for strengthening India's ties with ASEAN through tourism. A dialogue to expand maritime connectivity across the Indo-Pacific has been launched, indicating a broader commitment to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two regions.

In 2021, over 4.14 million Indians traveled to ASEAN countries, demonstrating the potential for further growth in this sector. Ms Tripathi expressed her expectation for even greater tourism flows in the future, as India and ASEAN work together to promote travel, cultural exchange, and sustainable tourism practices.

Encouraging an Increase in Southeast Asian Tourists to Discover Indian Coastlines