Boosted by a 24.3 pc increase in tourist arrivals from India, Brand USA, the destination promotion organisation of the United States held its 11th India Sales and Media Mission from January 20- 22, in Hyderabad.

In a press statement, Brand USA says that this year’s mission was led by Fred Dixon, President and CEO, Brand USA, who was accompanied by six other CEOs representing various US destinations and a luxury receptive agency. Simon Brooks, President of Bonotel, John Percy, President & CEO, Destination Niagara USA, Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Martha Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston, Todd Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Travel Oregon, and Liz Bittner, President & CEO, Travel South USA were present in the CEO mission.

This year’s mission was led by Fred Dixon, President and CEO, Brand USA, who was accompanied by six other CEOs representing various US destinations and a luxury receptive agency (Photo: Varsha Singh)

Other key members of the delegation included Angie Briggs, Senior Vice President, Industry Partnerships and Engagement and Chief Development Office, Chris Heywood, Senior Vice President, Public Relations & Chief Communications Officer, and Jackie Ennis, Vice President, Global Trade Development. The statement adds that the  delegation also included representatives of 48 tourism companies and 67 exhibitors from the US, who engaged with 123 senior Indian decision-makers from the travel trade and media.

Other events around this mission included speaker sessions with experts who addressed the international attendees on topics relevant to the Indian travel market.

According to Brand USA, in 2024, the USA saw 2.19 million arrivals from India, a 24.3 pc increase from 2023, ranking second largest for overseas arrivals, excluding Canada and Mexico, and fourth-largest for total international arrivals to the USA in 2024.

Fred Dixon

“We are extremely pleased to see strong arrival numbers from India to the USA, validating our past efforts and reaffirming our commitment for the future. As one of our top overseas markets, we are extremely bullish on Indian visitor arrivals and are committed to building stronger partnerships. The Brand USA India Sales and Media Mission and the meetings that the delegates had, are very crucial in building and expanding opportunities for US travel companies and destinations, paving the way for stronger connections, increased travel, and collaborations,” says Dixon.

The statement adds that the flight connectivity between the two countries is also expected to increase. Air India currently operates non-stop passenger flights to five key US cities, namely Chicago, Newark, New York, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.

The airline also introduced its new wide-body flagship, the Airbus A350, on the Delhi-New York and Delhi-Newark routes, showcasing its deluxe offering on ultra-long-haul routes. Additionally, many European and Southeast Asian carriers have expanded one-stop operations to the USA via their respective hubs in Europe and Asia.