Concept:
Tourism statistics provide insights into the performance, demographics, and patterns of international travel to a country. For India, these metrics are tracked by the Ministry of Tourism to aid in policy planning and marketing.
Step 1: Evaluating Global Share (A).
India’s share in international tourist arrivals (ITA) has seen a gradual recovery post-pandemic. In recent years, the figure has hovered around 1.2% to 1.6%. The statement that India’s share is approximately 1.4% for the 2024 period is accurate.
Step 2: Analyzing Arrival Mode and Source (B).
While South Asia (specifically Bangladesh and Nepal) is a major source region, the statement is factually incorrect regarding the mode of transport. The vast majority of foreign tourists (consistently over 75-80%) arrive in India by Air, not by land.
Step 3: Evaluating Demographic Splits (C and D).
• Gender (C): Historically, male tourist arrivals in India have significantly outnumbered female arrivals (roughly a 60:40 or 58:42 ratio).
• Age (D): The largest segment of international visitors to India falls within the working-age brackets. The 35-54 years age group is indeed the dominant demographic, accounting for roughly 40% of total arrivals.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Statements A and D are correct, making (4) the right choice.