India

The International Passenger Survey (IPS) was suspended on 16 March 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until the start of 2021. The ONS have made every effort to produce high-quality estimates for the periods when IPS data is not being collected but have not been able to produce a full set of results. See the 2020 inbound page for more information. Data for 2021 and 2022 was also impacted by COVID-19, more information can be found on the About IPS page.

Due to the above, the latest full year IPS data below is from 2019. You can access data detailed data from 2020 onwards on the latest annual page.

Visitor characteristics

In 2022, there were almost twice as many male than female visitors, and 2 in 3 visits were made by Indian residents aged 25-54 years old.
33% of holiday visitors (excluding British expats) are making a repeat visit to Britain (within ten years).
Just over half of the visits from India to Britain were made by people who reside in the Maharashtra (including Mumbai) and in the Delhi states.
86% of departing Indians (excluding British expats) say they are ‘extremely likely’ to recommend Britain for a visit, above the all-market average of 82%

Popular activities

Dining in a restaurant

Sightseeing of Famous Buildings/ Monuments

Went Shopping

Global context


Measure	2019
International tourism expenditure (US$bn)	22.9
Global rank for international tourism expenditure	15
Number of outbound visits (m)	21.8
Most visited destination	United Arab Emirates
Most visited destination in Western Europe	France

Key demographic and economic data


Measure	2023
Population (m)	1433.3
GDP per capita PPP (US$)	7,841
Annual average GDP growth over past decade (%)	5.7
Annual GDP growth (%)	5.6

India Market Profile (PDF, 5.7MB)

India Market Snapshot (PDF, 2.12MB)

India Aviation Profile (PDF, 2.51MB)

India COVID-19 Travel Sentiment (PDF, 481KB, Published April 2022)

Find out where visitors from India to the UK reside in their own country (Excel, 176KB, Published in 2019)

More information on how Indian travellers use social media on holidays compared to travellers from other countries (PDF, 794KB, Published in 2015)

Take a look at our India visa research to find out if the visa process is a barrier to potential visitors (PDF, 1.78MB, Published in 2011)

Please note that the reports below have not been updated with the 2009-2018 revised IPS data. For more information, please visit about the international passenger survey

Read our report examining perceived barriers to exploring Britain outside of London for Indian visitors (PDF, 2.46MB, Published October 2014 )

Exchange rate

1 GBP = 102.8743 INR

As of 20 September 2023

Retrieved from the Bank of England

Inbound visits to Britain from India

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Number of visits

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Total expenditure (GBP)

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Total nights spent

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Average length of stay (Nights)

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Average spend per visit (GBP)

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What Indians think about Britain

Those in India have a generally positive view of Britain. According to the 2022 Anholt Nation Brands Index, they ranked Britain 5th for its nation brand among 60 nations overall, also ranking Britain 4th for 'culture' and 5th for 'people'.
For Indian respondents the cultural products they most expect to be produced in Britain are ‘films', 'museums' and 'modern design'.
Indian respondents expect that a trip to Britain would be 'exciting' and 'educational'.

Caring for visitors

Family plays an extremely important role in Indian life. Visitors will often ask for family or interconnecting rooms
The use of the 'Namaste', the greeting with folded hands, is usually appreciated among Indian guests, while it is best to wait for your guest to extend their first to shake it
Many Indians are vegetarian and teetotallers, and it is vital that a good variety of vegetarian options are made available on menus
Leisure visitors from India are less likely than those from the average market to use a credit card while in Britain
Whilst many speak good English, some may have issues understanding slang or accent

The leisure & travel trade

The travel trade in India changes slowly. The trade still plays a pivotal role in booking outbound travel while online booking is mainly popular for domestic travel, and digital sources are used mostly for travel inspiration and destination information
Brochures are planned and produced in December or January – discussions are best started a year in advance, but can still occur in October-November as last-minute changes in the itinerary happen frequently
Telephone contact and face-to-face interaction is appreciated, as well as the provision of brochures

Access to Britain from India


Measure	2023
Weekly aircraft departures	138
Weekly seat capacity	36,060
Airports with direct routes in India	10
Airports with direct routes in Britain	4

Out of all the airlines operating the India to Britain route in 2023, British Airways and Air India serve the most departing seats, with a combined share of 71%.
In 2023, the routes connecting Delhi and Mumbai to London Heathrow serve the most departing seats, with a combined share of 72%.
The highest rate of flight departures in 2023 are set to take place in October-December.
In 2023, seat capacity for the full year is set to exceed pre-COVID (2019) levels by 34%.
The current reduced rate of Air Passenger Duty for visitors departing Britain for India is £87.

Markets

India