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The tourism industry in the United States is witnessing a significant shift as Indian travelers emerge as a key market, helping to revitalize a sector still recovering from the pandemic. According to data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), nearly 1.9 million Indians visited the US in 2024, marking an impressive 48% increase from 2019 levels. The surge in Indian tourists comes as a result of several factors, including a 50% jump in business visas and a 43.5% increase in leisure travel.
The rising interest in US travel is driven by India’s expanding middle class, higher travel budgets, and increased flight capacities. In particular, India’s rapidly growing economy has created a wealthier consumer base that is eager to explore international destinations. The growing number of Indians visiting the US is helping fill the gap left by a decline in visitors from countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, whose numbers have decreased substantially compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In response to this boom in Indian visitors, US hotels and travel companies are adapting to cater specifically to the needs and cultural preferences of Indian travelers. Leading hotel chains and hospitality groups are introducing a range of amenities designed to make Indian tourists feel more at home during their stay.
One of the most notable trends is the introduction of chai (Indian tea) and samosas in hotel lobbies. These popular Indian snacks are often served as a gesture of warmth and hospitality. Some hotels are even offering Indian TV channels in their guest rooms to provide familiar entertainment options for guests, making their stay more comfortable and familiar. These initiatives are seen as essential in attracting more visitors from India, which is poised to become one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the coming years.
Laura Lee Blake, CEO of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, which represents the owners of 60% of hotels in the US, emphasized that these small touches can make a big difference. “It’s important to make Indian travelers feel welcomed and appreciated. A little bit of home, like chai and samosas, goes a long way,” Blake remarked.
India’s increasing outbound travel is supported by a variety of factors. The country’s rising middle class, fueled by economic growth, has greater disposable income, making international travel more accessible. Additionally, India has seen a substantial increase in the availability of direct flights to the US, with airlines ramping up services to accommodate the demand. These flights, combined with the growing wealth of Indian travelers, have contributed to the rising number of tourists visiting the US.
In contrast, tourism from East Asia has faced a decline. The NTTO data shows that visitor volumes from China, Japan, and South Korea dropped by 44.5%, 50.8%, and 23.9%, respectively, in comparison to 2019. This trend reflects a shift in travel patterns, with more travelers from East Asia choosing regional destinations in Southeast Asia over long-haul flights to the US
Indian tourists are not just visiting major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. There has been a noticeable shift toward exploring smaller cities and secondary markets across the country. US destinations like Chicago, Houston, and even less traditional places are seeing a significant rise in Indian visitors. This shift is helping spread the recovery of US tourism to a broader range of destinations, as Indian travelers look to experience diverse aspects of American culture beyond the usual metropolitan hubs.
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