The inaugural Indo-US Tourism & Hospitality Summit, organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), underscored the untapped potential in the tourism and hospitality sectors between India and the United States. Experts and officials at the summit called for more direct flights and a swifter visa application process to bolster tourism exchange between the two nations.
Despite robust bilateral relations and significant travel between India and the US, industry participants noted that there remains substantial scope for improvement, particularly in enhancing the aviation experience. Addressing the summit, India’s Attorney General, R Venkataramani, emphasized the importance of responsible tourism and India’s commitment to fostering global cohesion through tourism.
“India is building a world of togetherness, where each country, community, and faith are held in equal regard. Tourism is a key factor in this mission, offering an umbrella under which we can project India’s principles of equal regard and reward. This global journey towards togetherness can be furthered through tourism, which not only spreads goodwill but also strengthens our global ties,” said Venkataramani.
Dr Lalit Bhasin, Immediate Past National President of IACC, shared his long-standing association with the tourism and hospitality sector, reflecting on nearly six decades of experience in the field. He emphasized the vital role tourism plays in fostering international relations and economic growth.
In a panel discussion focused on “Outbound Tourism, India to USA,” Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the strong bilateral partnership and the potential for growth in travel between the two countries. He pointed out that while India’s economy is booming, the tourism sector has not fully capitalised on this growth.
“India has been the fastest-growing economy, and nothing suggests a slowdown. Our natural affinity to the US will draw us closer, opening more pathways for exploration, particularly in tourism. However, there is much more potential to be captured,” said Billa. He also addressed the cumbersome US visa application process, despite its 10-year validity, and called for more direct flights between India and the US.
On the other hand, Jonathan M. Heimer, Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs at the US Commercial Service, highlighted recent improvements in visa processing. “In the last year, we’ve processed 60 per cent more visas with the same resources and issued over 1.1 million visas, a record for us. This momentum will continue to grow,” he said.
In 2023, Bhutan welcomed 103,000 visitors, and the country is poised to double that number in 2024, aiming for at least 200,000 arrivals. Speaking exclusively with ET Travel World, Carissa Nimah, Chief Marketing Officer of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan, reflected on the nation’s journey over the past five decades and emphasised the importance of the Indian market.
Adding to the discussion on visa challenges, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, proposed the introduction of short-term tourist visas to expedite the process, suggesting this could be a potential innovation to boost tourism. He also emphasised that international travel growth does not come at the expense of domestic travel.
Commenting on the revival of air travel post-pandemic, Harvinder Singh, Director for India & Middle East at United Airlines, noted the resurgence in all key segments—business, students, and leisure. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing the customer experience through newer technologies and resources to further support the growth of air travel between India and the US.
The summit concluded with a consensus that, while India and the US have made significant strides in tourism and hospitality, there remains a wealth of untapped potential that can be unlocked through enhanced connectivity, streamlined visa processes, and continued innovation in the sector.
