With global interest in inclusive travel rising, accessible tourism — designed for people with disabilities, seniors, and those with mobility challenges, offers India a powerful opportunity to boost revenue, enhance competitiveness and promote equity

Tourism is a significant contributor to India’s economy, yet one segment remains largely unexplored— accessible tourism. This growing sector emphasises creating travel experiences that accommodate individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and others with mobility challenges. By addressing the needs of such travellers, India has the opportunity to unlock immense economic potential while promoting inclusivity and equity.

Globally, around 15% of the population lives with some form of disability, according to the World Health Organisation. In India, over 2.2% of the population faces severe mental or physical challenges, highlighting an immense market segment that remains underserved. Tapping into this opportunity could not only enhance revenue but also boost India’s global competitiveness in tourism.

The Indian tourism industry, projected to generate revenue of $25.01 billion in 2025, has an estimated annual growth rate of 8.07% (CAGR 2025–2029), potentially reaching $34.11 billion by 2029. While the sector is concentrating on eco-friendly travel to attract conscious visitors, introducing accessible options could further diversify the market and make tourism inclusive for all. With Vision 2047 aiming to increase inbound tourism tenfold, the integration of accessible tourism into this vision could significantly contribute to achieving this goal.

Accessible tourism also has broader economic implications. Destinations like Kerala and Rajasthan, renowned for cultural heritage, could see increased visitor traffic by ensuring that their public spaces, monuments, and hospitality sectors meet the needs of differently abled individuals. Inclusive experiences, in turn, often attract families and groups, resulting in a wider reach of economic benefits.

Tourism in India is also witnessing a significant surge, driven by both medical and religious travel. The Maha Kumbh 2025 has attracted over 65 crore pilgrims, surpassing the 25 crore visitors at the 2019 Kumbh Mela, highlighting the exponential rise in religious tourism.

Simultaneously, India’s medical tourism market, valued at $6 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $13 billion by 2026, drawing patients from across the globe. This growth underscores tourism’s rising economic and cultural importance, making it a key driver of development.

Additionally, India’s global ranking in tourism is steadily improving. As of 2023, India ranks 8th globally in GDP contribution from the travel sector and is projected to climb to 4th within a decade. In 2023 alone, international tourist arrivals reached 18.89 million, nearly doubling from the previous year, while foreign exchange earnings surpassed INR 2,31,927 crore during the same period. While this growth is impressive, focusing on accessibility could position India as a leader in responsible and inclusive tourism globally.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite encouraging developments, several barriers limit the adoption of accessible tourism. Infrastructure gaps remain widespread, with many public spaces, transport systems, and heritage sites lacking essential features for individuals with mobility issues. These challenges are compounded by a lack of clear guidelines and awareness among tourism operators about catering to travellers with disabilities.

Also, affordability remains a significant concern. Specialised equipment such as modified vehicles and assistive devices often comes at a higher cost, limiting accessibility for a large section of the population. Another pressing issue is the unavailability of reliable information regarding accessible options at destinations, making it difficult for travellers to plan effectively.

Countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan have successfully implemented accessible tourism policies that India can adopt. The UK, through its “Access for All” initiative, has ensured that hotels, transport systems, and heritage sites cater to all travellers, including those with disabilities.

Funded by the Department for Transport, the programme enhances railway stations to address mobility challenges for disabled passengers. Similarly, Australia’s “National Disability Strategy” integrates accessibility standards into tourism planning, making attractions and services more inclusive. Japan has gone a step further by incorporating universal design principles in public infrastructure, ensuring smooth mobility in cities and at popular tourist sites. In India, infrastructure upgrades should be prioritised, with features such as ramps, elevators, and tactile paths integrated into all public and private spaces. Beyond physical infrastructure, developing an accessibility index for tourist destinations — similar to what countries like Spain have done — can help travellers make informed decisions. Spain’s Accessible Tourism Network offers real-time information on wheelchair-friendly attractions, an approach India can replicate.

India can integrate such models by strengthening the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016. This law mandates accessibility in public buildings, transport facilities, information & communication technology (ICT) services, consumer products, and all other services provided by the government or private entities within a set timeframe. However, enforcement remains inconsistent. Establishing an accountability framework and offering incentives to tourism operators for accessible upgrades can drive real change.

Policies promoting accessible design principles, along with stricter implementation of guidelines under the Accessible India Campaign, are essential to drive change. Training programmes for hospitality workers and travel service providers can help create a more inclusive environment. Partnerships with advocacy groups and community organisations can also provide valuable insights into designing more effective solutions.

In addition, expanding the reach of accessible tourism fuels opportunities for local vendors, artisans, and hospitality workers. For instance, tourism destinations implementing disability-friendly initiatives, supported by the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, have already demonstrated the potential for widespread economic benefits. Under this scheme, 76 projects were sanctioned this year, with 75 of them already physically completed. This reflects the commitment to infrastructural improvements that could further boost employment.

By highlighting accessible tourism, India can attract a diverse range of visitors, including international tourists seeking disability-friendly destinations. For the domestic sector, which saw over 2,509 million tourist visits in 2023, accessible infrastructure can ensure equal opportunities for travel and leisure. Accessible tourism is not merely a choice but an essential step towards achieving social and economic progress.

In conclusion, accessible tourism presents a transformative opportunity for India to redefine its travel landscape. By embracing inclusivity, the country can tap into a vast, underserved market, stimulate local economies, and reinforce its global standing as a responsible tourism leader.

As India eyes exponential growth in its tourism sector through initiatives like Vision 2047 and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, integrating accessibility into policy, infrastructure, and service delivery is imperative.

Learning from global best practices and enforcing existing legislation like the RPWD Act can bridge current gaps. Empowering stakeholders through training, incentives, and community engagement will further ensure a holistic shift.

With over 2,500 million domestic tourist visits and rising international arrivals, the time is ripe for India to champion accessible tourism — not just as a moral imperative, but as a smart economic strategy. A truly inclusive tourism ecosystem can pave the way for equitable travel experiences, benefiting all while positioning India as a global benchmark.

(The writer is Founder Chairperson, Svayam. Views are personal)