Tamil Nadu welcomed 8.2 crore domestic tourists in 2024, a 32% increase over 2023, cementing its position as India's top domestic tourism destination for the third consecutive year.
Madurai, Kanyakumari, Ooty-Kodaikanal, Mahabalipuram, and the newly developed "Spiritual Circuit" covering major temples from Rameswaram to Chidambaram drove the surge.
The state also received 18.3 lakh international tourists, with Singapore, USA, and UK being the top source countries.
Tourism revenue contributed ₹1.2 lakh crore to the state GDP, directly employing 35 lakh people across hospitality, transport, and handicrafts sectors.