India's current tourism revenue makes one thing crystal clear: Just talking about the importance of tourism without an actionable strategy is a short-sighted move, and the country doesn't seem to get beyond rhetoric.
The world may be looking to get more Indian travelers, but not every country is keen on it, even if India is a low-hanging fruit sitting right beside it.
Although the U.S. has a top-10 passport ranking again, its increasingly tougher entry rules suggest a country moving against the global openness trend.
Whether a Disney castle ever rises on Thailand’s eastern coast is still an open question. But the logic behind the pitch is clear, without a new demand engine, some of Thailand’s biggest infrastructure dreams may never leave the drawing board.