India has emerged as the second largest overseas market for the United States in terms of tourist arrivals, according to Brand USA CEO Fred Dixon. In 2024, 2.2 million Indians visited the US, marking a 24% growth compared to the previous year and an impressive 50% increase since 2019. India now ranks just behind the UK and ahead of Germany in importance to the US tourism market.
Dixon, speaking during an India sales mission in Hyderabad, expressed optimism about continued growth in Indian tourist arrivals in 2025. He highlighted that a record number of visitor visas were issued to Indians in 2024, with five million Indians currently holding valid visas to the US. Additionally, the US mission in India announced 2.5 lakh extra visa appointments last year to meet the soaring demand from tourists, skilled workers, and students.
In 2023, Indian travelers contributed $20 billion to the US economy, showcasing their significant impact. The US is also preparing for a surge in tourism during the FIFA World Cup 2026, expected to attract a large number of global fans.
Dixon reassured that despite recent wildfires in California, the tourism infrastructure in the US remains largely unaffected. He also emphasized the critical role of Brand USA, the country’s public-private destination marketing organization, in promoting the US as a premier travel destination and streamlining communication of travel policies to international tourists.
With steady growth and increasing demand, India continues to solidify its position as one of the fastest-growing markets for US tourism.
