Indians Now Fifth-Largest Contributor To US Tourism, 30% Growth Expected In 2024
India has positioned itself as the fifth-largest contributor to the United States' tourism sector, anticipating a robust 30 per cent growth in 2024.
Staci Mellman, Chief Marketing Officer of Brand USA, attributes this surge to the considerable spending power of Indian tourists, surpassing global averages and contributing significantly to the total expenditure of USD 173.9 billion by international visitors in the US.
The notable increase in spending from January to October 2023 aligns with improvements in visa processing, expanded flight connectivity and a broader spectrum of tourism offerings. Despite visa processing challenges, including lengthy wait times, the year 2023 witnessed 1.7 million Indian visitors, showcasing a growing interest in exploring diverse facets of the US beyond traditional gateways.
In response, the US has issued 1.2 million new visas, adding 2.5 lakh tourist visa appointments for Indians, with further efforts to streamline operations, including weekend processing at the Consulate in Hyderabad, processing 3,500 appointments daily.
With outbound trips from India expected to surpass USD 42 billion by 2024, the US is strategically poised to capitalise on this tourism boom, aiming to attract an estimated 2 million Indian tourists by 2027, as per the projections of the US National Travel and Tourism Office.
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