The national Department of Tourism maintains tourist information offices at home and abroad. It has constructed many facilities for viewing wildlife in forest regions (by minibus, boat, or elephant) and operates tourist lodges in wildlife sanctuaries. All major cities have comfortable Western-style hotels for tourists.

In 1999 there were 72,114 hotel rooms with 144,228 beds and a 50% occupancy rate. In 2000, tourist arrivals numbered 2,641,157, with most tourists coming from Europe. Tourist receipts totaled $3.1 billion.

The main tourist attractions are the great cities of Calcutta, Mumbai (formerly Bombay), and Madras. Tourists also visit such monuments as the Red Fort and Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, the Taj Mahal at Agra, and the Amber Palace in Jaipur.

Also popular is the temple at Bodh gaya (about 100 kilometers south of Patna) where the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment.

Cricket, field hockey, polo, football (soccer), volleyball, and basketball are all popular pastimes, as are pony-trekking in the hill stations and skiing in northern India. There are many golf courses and excellent fishing.