‘India second largest overseas visitor source market for US this year’
‘India second largest overseas visitor source market for US this year’
SEATTLE: India has emerged as the second-largest overseas source market for travel to the United States in January to May 2024 (excluding Canada and Mexico that share a land border with America) breaking all previous arrival records, according to the Commerce department’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The first five months of this calendar year saw 8.8 lakh arrivals from India — up 37% from 6.4 lakh in same period last year, says Brand USA which is America’s destination marketing organisation. The summer numbers remained strong at 2.6 lakh arrivals from India this May, up 32% from just below 2 lakh in same month last year.
Including arrivals from Canada and Mexico, India ranks as the fourth largest source market for international visitors to the United States so far this calendar year. “The United States remains the top choice for Indian travellers seeking long-haul leisure destinations. The ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the USA, has attracted significant interest from Indian fans. Other major sporting events, such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, are expected to draw even more visitors from India. The expected addition of new flights later this year will further make travel to the US even more accessible for Indian travellers,” Brand USA sain in a statement.
The travel industry says the numbers could have been even higher if it were not for the ongoing visa appointment delays and sky-high airfares due to poor direct air connectivity as US carriers are operating a fraction of nonstops to India. The wait for visa appointment is still high, though much less from the peak of over 1,000 days seen in 2021-22. Due to not overflying Russia, Delta has not resumed India flights post Covid and United and American are operating only between Delhi and New York. Air India, the largest operator of nonstops to North America, is seeing all its flights go full.
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