India has emerged as the leading source of inbound travelers to the United States, surpassing countries like China, South Korea, and Japan in 2022. To accommodate the growing tourism boom, the US plans to open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The increase in Indian tourists has caught the attention of the US tourism sector, which sees India as a promising market for future growth. The US has witnessed a significant rise in visa issuances to Indian travelers, and flight bookings from India to the US have surged as well. With improved visa processing and increased flight connectivity, the outlook for Indian tourism in the US looks promising.
In a surprising turn of events, India has emerged as the primary source of inbound travelers to the United States, surpassing conventional contenders such as China, South Korea, and Japan.
This revelation, according to tourism consultancy IPK International, marks the first time that India has claimed the title of Asia’s highest contributor to international travelers in 2022.
Recognizing the growing trend of Indian globetrotters, the United States is swiftly adapting to accommodate this tourism boom by announcing the establishment of two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. This proactive move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s recent visit to Washington, which has motivated the US to expedite the visa processing procedures and handle the increasing influx of Indian tourists.
The US tourism sector, quick to perceive the potential, acknowledges the significance of emerging markets like India in balancing out the decline from other countries and ensuring long-term growth.
Geoff Freeman, CEO of the US Travel Association, emphasized the prospects of these new markets, affirming their positive impact on the industry’s progress.
This collaborative approach between the United States and India materialized in a joint statement by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi, wherein they expressed their intention to open the two new consulates while also instructing officials to explore additional measures to facilitate business and tourism travel.
Promisingly, data from the US Department of Commerce National Travel and Tourism Office reveals that Indian travelers to the US have already exceeded pre-pandemic numbers as of May 2023.
Keith Barr, CEO of IHG Hotels and Resorts, drew parallels between the rising influence of Chinese international travelers, driven by the expanding middle class and wealth generation, and India’s comparable trajectory. He highlighted India’s own evolution and potential as a significant market for global travel.
Demonstrating the surging interest in travel to the US, American embassies and consulates in India have witnessed a remarkable 44 percent increase in the issuance of non-immigrant visas in 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. Furthermore, flight bookings from India to the US for the final quarter of 2023 have witnessed a substantial surge of 26 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. These encouraging figures bode well for the tourism outlook for the remainder of the year.
One persistent challenge faced by Indian travelers was the long wait time for tourist visas. However, the establishment of two new embassies in India is expected to significantly reduce this waiting period, bringing relief to eager travelers. To further facilitate travel, Air India, owned by Tata Group, has recently initiated non-stop flights from Mumbai to New York and from Bengaluru to San Francisco, enabling more convenient and direct travel options.
