Connect with us

Latest News

‘Chai and Samosas’: US Hotels Cater to Indian Tourist Surge to Revive Revenue!

Published

on

'Chai and Samosas': US Hotels Cater to Indian Tourist Surge to Revive Revenue!

The US tourism industry is experiencing a welcome boost thanks to a surge in Indian visitors. This increase comes at a time when domestic leisure spending is dipping and travel demand from East Asia remains sluggish, highlighting the significance of Indian tourists in revitalizing the sector.

Numbers Speak for Themselves

Nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited the US in the first ten months of 2024, marking a nearly 48% increase compared to 2019. This upswing is fueled by a 50% jump in visas issued for business travel and a 43.5% rise for leisure trips, according to the US National Trade and Tourism Office (NTTO). Notably, India has emerged as the second-largest source of foreign visitors to the United States, surpassing Germany and trailing only behind the UK.

Factors Driving the Boom

Several factors are contributing to this surge in Indian travel:

  • Growing Middle Class: India’s burgeoning middle class is increasingly able to afford international travel, leading to higher travel budgets.
  • Increased Flight Options: The availability of more direct flights between India and the US has made travel more accessible.
  • Changing Travel Preferences: While wealthy travelers from East Asian countries have opted for shorter trips within Asia, Indian tourists are exploring long-haul destinations like the US.

In stark contrast, visitor volumes from East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea have significantly decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels, with declines of 44.5%, 50.8%, and 23.9%, respectively.

Filling the Void

While European tourists are gradually returning to the US, overall visitor numbers from major European countries like the UK, Germany, and France have not yet reached 2019 levels. This has left a gap in the US tourism industry that Indian travelers are now helping to fill.

Laura Lee Blake, CEO of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, stated, “Indian travelers are playing a crucial role in reviving the industry. Their interest in exploring beyond major cities is spreading economic benefits across more destinations.” Budget and mid-scale hotels are particularly popular with Indian tourists, with some properties offering amenities that cater specifically to their preferences—such as chai and samosas in the lobby and Indian TV channels in guest rooms.

A Trend on the Rise

Travel booking platform Tripadvisor’s Viator brand reports a surge in US bookings by Indian travelers, jumping over 50% in 2024 and tripling compared to pre-pandemic levels. Airbnb’s Chief Business Officer, Dave Stephenson, confirmed this trend: “We’ve seen nights booked by Indians traveling to the US increase by over 45% in the past three years.”

The scheduled flight capacity between India and the US has also risen significantly—up 42.3% in 2024 compared to 2019—further facilitating this growth.

Looking Ahead

The outlook for the US tourism industry appears promising as it adapts to changing global travel dynamics. Grzegorz Kowalski, CEO of hotel booking platform Tripoffice.com, anticipates “growth in occupancy rates and revenue driven by a younger, experience-driven audience from India” in 2025. As hotels and travel companies continue to cater to Indian preferences and expand their offerings, they are well-positioned to capitalize on this influx of visitors.

Conclusion

The surge of Indian tourists is not only filling gaps left by declining visitor numbers from other regions but also revitalizing the US tourism industry as a whole. With increased flight capacities and tailored experiences for Indian travelers, this trend is likely to continue shaping the landscape of international tourism in the United States for years to come. As both countries strengthen their ties through increased travel opportunities, Indian visitors will play an increasingly vital role in supporting economic growth across various sectors within the US.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. droversointeru

    April 8, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.

  2. casino en ligne francais

    May 26, 2025 at 2:17 pm

    If you are going for finest contents like I do, simply pay
    a quick visit this website all the time because it presents
    feature contents, thanks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Pune’s SuperGaming Secures $15M to Expand in Emerging Markets

Published

on

Super Gaming

SuperGaming, the Pune-based gaming innovator known for hit titles like MaskGun and Indus Battle Royale, has raised $15 million in a Series B funding round, boosting its valuation to an impressive $100 million. This marks a nearly fivefold increase from its 2021 valuation of $21 million, highlighting the company’s rapid growth and the rising investor confidence in India’s booming gaming industry. The funding reflects SuperGaming’s strong market presence and strategic vision to become a global leader in online gaming. 

The funding round was spearheaded by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital, with significant participation from notable international investors including a16z Speedrun, Bandai Namco O21 Fund, Neowiz, and prominent Web3 financiers such as Polygon Ventures and Sandeep Nailwal. Existing backers like AET Japan and BACE Capital also continued their support. SuperGaming aims to utilize this capital infusion to expand its footprint internationally, focusing on emerging markets. A key initiative includes launching its award-winning game, Indus Battle Royale, in Latin America through a partnership with LOUD.GG, alongside rolling out its proprietary SuperPlatform developed with Google Cloud to empower game developers worldwide, especially in resource-constrained regions. 

CEO and Co-Founder Roby John emphasized that this funding milestone is crucial in shifting India from merely a gaming consumer base to a hub for gaming innovation. By adopting a “hyper-local” strategy that tailors games to diverse cultures in underrepresented markets like the Middle East and Latin America, SuperGaming is poised for global growth. With over 200 million installs and an expanding user base, SuperGaming’s recent fundraising solidifies its position at the forefront of India’s gaming revolution, ready to make a major impact on the international stage.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Swiggy DeskEats: Office Food Delivery Launched in 30 Cities

Published

on

Swiggy

Swiggy, India’s leading online food delivery platform, has introduced DeskEats, a unique meal delivery service specifically designed for office-goers and working professionals across 30 major cities. DeskEats aims to streamline office dining by offering a diverse, office-friendly menu, making it easier than ever for corporate employees to enjoy convenient and delicious meals right at their workplace. By simply typing “Office” or “Work” in the Swiggy app, users can unlock curated collections like Value Combos, Stress Munchies, Healthy Nibbles, and Teamwork Bites, catering to every office dining scenario—from solo meals to team lunches and quick snack breaks.

Swiggy’s DeskEats is now operational in over 7,000 tech parks and business centers, granting office workers access to nearly 700,000 menu items from over 200,000 restaurants. This vast variety ensures there’s something for everyone, addressing the growing demand for quick, tasty, and nutritious food that fits seamlessly into the busy schedules of working professionals. Early trends from DeskEats’ pilot phase show a strong preference for easy-to-eat options like chicken popcorn in Bengaluru and garlic breadsticks in Gurugram, reflecting the popularity of meals tailored for the modern workday.

Expanding upon its Corporate Rewards Program, which is already trusted by thousands of organizations, Swiggy enables companies to enhance employee wellness programs by offering food delivery, groceries, and dining benefits efficiently. With DeskEats, Swiggy reaffirms its commitment to transforming workplace dining by prioritizing variety, convenience, and user satisfaction—cementing its position as a key player in the evolution of India’s office food culture.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Setu Builds Fintech Powerhouse Leadership Team as Pine Labs IPO Nears

Published

on

Pine Labs

Setu, the API infrastructure platform and subsidiary of Pine Labs, has significantly strengthened its leadership by appointing Prashanth Nimmagada (ex-Razorpay) as Chief Technology Officer, signaling its commitment to innovation in India’s dynamic fintech landscape. Alongside Nimmagada, Setu has welcomed other top industry talent: Vijeth Pandit (ex-Razorpay) as Chief Product Officer, Ramkumar Thirumurthi (ex-Razorpay, co-founder Actyv.ai) as Chief Revenue Officer, Nikhil Ratanpal (ex-PhonePe) as Director of Product Development, and Santosh Subramanian (ex-Yes Bank, Wibmo) as Head of Finance. These high-profile hires accompany Anand Raisinghani’s (ex-SAP India) appointment as CEO, underscoring Setu’s focus on building a strong, experienced leadership bench to drive future growth.

Setu specializes in providing API-based digital financial infrastructure for services such as UPI, bill payments, KYC, and digital signatures, while also operating as an RBI-licensed NBFC Account Aggregator. With this expanded leadership team—drawn from India’s leading fintechs—Setu is well-positioned to accelerate the development of scalable, API-driven financial solutions for banks, fintechs, and enterprises. The influx of expertise from Razorpay and PhonePe veterans will bolster Setu’s technical capabilities and strategic partnerships, ensuring it remains a key enabler in India’s rapidly maturing digital public infrastructure ecosystem.

This leadership overhaul comes as parent company Pine Labs prepares for a major IPO, aiming to raise ₹2,600 crore through a fresh share issue after turning profitable in FY25. Setu’s enhanced leadership reinforces the broader group’s ambitions for international expansion, technological innovation, and financial performance. As Setu solidifies its role at the forefront of India’s fintech evolution, the company is poised to deliver advanced financial infrastructure solutions that support the country’s growing digital economy and drive Pine Labs’ strategic momentum.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement