India has become the second-largest international market for tourist arrivals to the United States, and the upward trend in visits from Indian travelers is projected to continue into 2025, stated Brand USA CEO Fred Dixon.
India’s position as a vital international market for U.S. tourism was highlighted during Brand USA’s 11th India Sales and Media Mission, held from January 20 to 22, 2025, at The Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. The event was led by Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA, who was joined by six other prominent CEOs representing key U.S. destinations and a luxury receptive agency. The delegation included Simon Brooks, President of Bonotel; John Percy, President & CEO of Destination Niagara USA; Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism for the Louisiana Office of Tourism; Martha Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston; Todd Davidson, Chief Executive Officer of Travel Oregon; and Liz Bittner, President & CEO of Travel South USA. Senior Brand USA executives, including Angie Briggs, Chris Heywood, and Jackie Ennis, were also present.
The mission saw participation from 48 U.S. tourism companies and 67 exhibitors, who engaged with 123 senior Indian decision-makers from the travel trade and media. Additionally, the event featured speaker sessions where experts addressed topics relevant to the Indian travel market, fostering deeper insights and collaboration opportunities.
In 2024, the U.S. welcomed 2.19 million visitors from India, a remarkable 24.3% increase from the previous year – a 50% surge from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, solidifying India’s position as the second-largest source of overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) and the fourth-largest market for total international arrivals to the U.S. Indian travellers have contributed $20 billion to the US economy in 2023. Top destinations include California, New York, and Florida.This growth reflects the success of past initiatives and reinforces Brand USA’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the Indian travel industry.
Speaking about the growth, Fred Dixon remarked, “We are extremely pleased to see strong arrival numbers from India to the USA, validating our past efforts and reaffirming our commitment for the future. As one of our top overseas markets, we are extremely bullish on Indian visitor arrivals and are committed to building stronger partnerships.”
Improved flight connectivity has played a significant role in facilitating this growth. Air India currently operates nonstop flights to five major U.S. cities—Chicago, Newark, New York, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles—and has introduced its Airbus A350 on the Delhi-New York and Delhi-Newark routes, providing enhanced comfort on ultra-long-haul journeys. Additionally, European and Southeast Asian airlines have expanded one-stop connectivity to the U.S. through their respective hubs, offering Indian travelers more travel options.
Brand USA’s India Sales and Media Mission continues to be a vital platform for fostering connections, driving growth in Indian arrivals, and paving the way for sustained collaborations between U.S. destinations and the Indian travel market. With the positive momentum expected to carry forward into 2025, the mission reflects a shared vision for stronger partnerships and increased travel between the two countries.
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