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Business
India's Untapped Ghost‑Tourism Economy Remains Underexplored
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 01 Nov 2026, 08:52 AM
👁 15
India hosts a range of haunted sites that could attract tourists, yet the sector remains largely untapped. Experts say the potential for revenue and local development is significant, but promotion and infrastructure lag behind.
India is home to a plethora of sites reputed to be haunted, from the abandoned village of Kuldhara to the eerie ruins of Bhangarh Fort. Despite the allure of ghost stories, tourism to these locations is minimal, with few organized tours and limited visitor infrastructure.
Industry analysts estimate that a well‑developed ghost‑tourism circuit could generate millions in revenue and create jobs in rural communities. However, the lack of marketing, safety measures, and accommodation options keeps most of these sites off mainstream travel itineraries.
Local authorities in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have begun pilot projects to promote haunted heritage, but funding remains sporadic. The government’s focus has traditionally been on heritage and adventure tourism, leaving ghost tourism on the periphery.
Tourists who do visit often rely on word‑of‑mouth and social media, which can be unreliable and sometimes dangerous. Experts argue that a coordinated effort involving heritage conservation, safety protocols, and digital promotion could unlock the sector’s potential.
Until such measures are in place, India’s ghost‑tourism economy will likely remain a niche curiosity rather than a significant contributor to the country’s tourism revenue.
Industry analysts estimate that a well‑developed ghost‑tourism circuit could generate millions in revenue and create jobs in rural communities. However, the lack of marketing, safety measures, and accommodation options keeps most of these sites off mainstream travel itineraries.
Local authorities in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have begun pilot projects to promote haunted heritage, but funding remains sporadic. The government’s focus has traditionally been on heritage and adventure tourism, leaving ghost tourism on the periphery.
Tourists who do visit often rely on word‑of‑mouth and social media, which can be unreliable and sometimes dangerous. Experts argue that a coordinated effort involving heritage conservation, safety protocols, and digital promotion could unlock the sector’s potential.
Until such measures are in place, India’s ghost‑tourism economy will likely remain a niche curiosity rather than a significant contributor to the country’s tourism revenue.