India emerges as 2nd biggest tourist market for the USA in first half of 2024, ET TravelWorld

India has surged in popularity as a travel destination for the United States, grabbing the second spot for international tourist arrivals between January and May 2024, according to data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). This marks a significant jump from their third-place ranking during the same period in 2023.

The data reveals a strong upward trend, with a nearly 32per cent increase in Indian visitors to the US in May 2024 compared to May 2023. This translates to a remarkable 263,150 Indian passengers arriving in the US last month. Looking at the first five months of 2024 as a whole, India has sent a total of 882,404 visitors to the US, reflecting a growth of 37.2per cent compared to the previous year. This places India firmly in second place, behind only the United Kingdom, when excluding Canada and Mexico from the rankings. When these North American neighbours are included, India becomes the fourth-largest source market for international tourists to the US for the January-May 2024 period.

Several factors are attributed to this surge in Indian tourism to the US. The ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the US, has undoubtedly attracted a significant number of passionate Indian cricket fans. Additionally, the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to further fuel this travel trend. Increased accessibility is another contributing factor, with the anticipated addition of new flights between India and the US later this year.

Recognising India’s growing importance as a tourist market, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the US, is actively working to enhance travel experiences for Indian visitors. This includes continued marketing efforts and collaborations with the Indian travel industry.