Over 3.8 lakh of the 65 million tourists expected in New York City this year are from India.

Photo-Travel News

The United States is expecting a surge in visa applications from India this year, with an estimated 380,000 visitors projected to travel to the US. Among these visitors, New York City remains the top entry point, with over 60% of Indian tourists starting their US journey there. Renowned for its bustling airport system, NYC welcomed 61.8 million travelers in 2023, signifying a recovery of 93% from pre-pandemic visitation levels and aiming for 64.5 million visitors this year.

Indian travelers, numbering 336,000 in 2023, have fully restored their pre-pandemic visitation levels, with an expected 383,000 visitors this year. The average length of stay increased to 11 days, and spending per trip rose to USD 2,200, reflecting the growing leisure preferences of Indian visitors. Furthermore, Indian travelers predominantly book their trips to NYC during the months of March, April, and May.

Recognizing India's significance as a tourism source, NYC's tourism board has launched several initiatives to enhance the Indian traveler's experience. This includes hosting sales missions in key Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, along with launching an online travel trade academy with Hindi subtitles for better engagement with the Indian travel trade. The board aims to empower the travel trade to cater to evolving consumer demands and provide diverse NYC experiences.

Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President of Tourism Market Development for NYC Tourism + Conventions, emphasized the importance of India as a growing feeder market for NYC tourism. She highlighted factors like improved air connectivity and targeted marketing efforts contributing to the rise in Indian tourist arrivals. Moreover, Beate Mauder Kakkar, Managing Director of Indiva Marketing, representing NYC Tourism + Convention in India, discussed the board's marketing strategies and focus areas during a conversation with ETTravelWorld.

The rebranding of NYC & Company to New York City Tourism + Convention aims to enhance communication and clarify the city's tourism and conventions efforts. Healy reiterated that the rebranding was strategically positioned to reinforce NYC's tourism economy and establish the organization's purpose as the official destination marketing organization. The goal is to increase visibility, clarity, and desirability for trade partnerships, ultimately strengthening NYC's position in the Indian market.