Hyderabad: More and more Indians are exploring the U.S., making India one of the top countries for American tourism. In 2024, the number of Indian visitors reached 2.2 million, a record high, according to Fred Dixon, CEO of Brand USA.
India now ranks as the second-largest overseas market for U.S. tourism, just behind the UK, which has 4 million visitors. Germany comes next at 2 million. Since 2019, Indian visits have surged by 49%, the highest growth among international markets.
Over the past two years, the U.S. issued a million visas to Indian travelers. In addition, 250,000 more interview slots will be available in 2025. Currently, there are 5 million valid U.S. visas for Indian citizens, reflecting high interest in repeat travel.
Spending by Indian tourists in the U.S. has also seen a positive shift. In 2023, they contributed $20 billion to the economy, positioning India as the fourth-largest source of tourism revenue after Canada, Mexico, and China. Back in 2019, Indian tourist spending was around $14 billion.
Dixon noted that 86% of Indians surveyed have a favorable view of the U.S. as a travel destination, a higher intent than any other country. Interestingly, Indian tourists also tend to stay longer—averaging about 13 days compared to the global average of 6-7 days.
Events like the U.S. celebrating its 250th anniversary and the FIFA World Cup in 2026 are likely to boost these numbers further. For 2024, total international visitor arrivals are expected to reach 72.4 million, rising to nearly 86 million by 2026.
California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Washington D.C. are the favorite destinations among Indian travelers. Niagara Falls stands out as the top attraction, with Indian tourists making up a significant percentage of visitors who opt for helicopter tours there.
Travel motives are varied. About 66% of visits are for leisure, 20% for business, and 14% for education. The U.S. is also seeing growth in tourism focused on food, nature experiences, city adventures, and family attractions.
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