Iraq Tops the List of Arab Countries for Tourist Arrivals in India for 2021

In 2021, Iraq stood out as the top source market from the Arab countries for tourist arrivals in India. Out of the total tourist arrivals from Arab nations, a significant 33.9% were from Iraq, accounting for 16,213 visitors. Most of Iraqi 95% are visiting India for medical purpose.

Oman followed Iraq with 10,174 tourists, representing 21.2% of total Arab tourist arrivals. Sudan and Yemen were the next major contributors with 6,781 (14.2%) and 6,235 (13.0%) arrivals respectively. The United Arab Emirates, often considered a close ally and business partner of India, contributed 3,927 tourists, forming 8.2% of the total arrivals from Arab countries. Egypt and Bahrain each held a 3.6% share, while Saudi Arabia accounted for 2.3%.

The total number of tourists from Arab countries who visited India in 2021 was 47,884. To put this in perspective, India saw a total foreign tourist inflow of 1,527,114 in the same year. Thus, tourists from Arab nations constituted a mere 3.13% of the overall foreign tourist arrivals.

While the Arab countries showed a notable presence in the Indian tourist market, most of India's foreign tourist influx still stemmed from Western countries and South Asia. This is consistent with historical trends, showcasing the long-standing cultural, historical, and economic ties India shares with these regions.