India has now become the United States’ second-largest overseas market for tourism. Reports indicate that this significant milestone was officially recognized by Brand USA president Fred Dixon during a press briefing in Bengaluru on January 22.
Tourism Growth and Statistics
Visitor arrivals from India have surged by 40 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In 2025 alone, over two million Indians are expected to travel to the United States, surpassing previous numbers from the United Kingdom.
Factors Driving Indian Tourism to the U.S.
- Increased disposable incomes among Indian citizens
- Popularity of long-stay self-drive vacations
- Anticipation of major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th Independence anniversary
The trend shows that Indian travellers are exploring beyond traditional hotspots like New York and San Francisco. Secondary cities in the Midwest and mountain states are experiencing increased interest, boosted by enhanced air travel services and aggressive marketing campaigns.
Implications for Business Travel
This shift poses challenges for corporate mobility planners. With a rise in leisure travel demand, competition for business-class seats on direct India-U.S. routes has intensified during peak periods. Companies may find it necessary to book tickets earlier or consider alternative routes through Europe or the Gulf.
Impact on U.S. Hotels
Hotels in technology hubs such as Austin and Raleigh are experiencing double-digit growth in revenues from Indian corporate travellers. This suggests that companies should revisit their volume-based pricing agreements to capitalize on this growing market.
Visa Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the increase in demand, lengthy visa wait times remain a significant hurdle. Analysts from the U.S. Travel Association believe that resolving interview backlogs to less than 60 days could lead Indian visitor numbers to surpass three million by 2027. This could potentially generate an additional $4 billion in revenue for the U.S. economy.
Digital platforms like VisaHQ are attempting to ease the administrative burdens faced by both leisure and business travellers. Their dedicated portal provides features such as real-time tracking of appointment availability, document pre-screening, and group application management.
Calls for Visa Policy Improvements
Travel organisations in India are welcoming this tourism milestone but are urging the U.S. government to restore domestic renewal options for H-1B and B-1/B-2 visas. Such changes are essential to maintain the ongoing growth in travel.
In the meantime, travel managers are advised to stay updated on visa appointment timelines in major cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad, as well as consider expedited applications tied to conferences and important project launches.
