Brand USA hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the media partners yesterday in Delhi.
In their annual Thanksgiving event organised yesterday by Brand USA in Delhi, Sunil Puri, Managing Director of Mileage Communications India and Joint Managing Director at Sartha Global Marketing LLP, shared the stellar performance of Indian travellers in contributing to U.S. tourism growth.
Addressing the gathering, Puri said that India has shown “phenomenal growth”, surging among the top overseas markets for inbound travel to the United States. “This year, we’ve already recorded close to 1.89 million arrivals, which is a significant 7.2% increase compared to last year’s total of 1.71 million arrivals. It’s an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the strong demand and interest in the U.S. as a destination.”
Notably, Indian arrivals soaring to 1.71 million, reflected a remarkable 20% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019, which saw 1.4 million visitors.
This year, India has also ranked as the No. 2 overseas market for the U.S., excluding Canada and Mexico due to their proximity. From being outside the top 10 in arrivals to securing the No. 2 position, overtaking key markets like Australia, India’s growth in tourism arriavls is unprecedented. “This achievement is truly noteworthy and underscores the deepening connection between the two countries.”
He further acknowledged the challenge of limited air seat availability, emphasising optimism about its resolution to accommodate the ever-growing demand. “Travellers are eager to explore the U.S., and with a valid U.S. visa, travellers can hop on a flight and wake up in America the next day, ready to explore.”
Puri also shed light on Brand USA’s strategic focus to spotlight the country’s hidden gems and diverse tourism offerings. While the major cities remain iconic draws, the goal is to highlight the unique experiences such as local legends and authentic cultural stories, adventure tourism aspects and immersive road trips in the U.S which is also known as a driver’s paradise. Sports tourism is another segment being looked at with major global events on the horizon, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. These events, he said, are monumental and highlight USA’s prominence in global sports.
“Thanksgiving is about spending time with family and friends, and today, we consider this gathering as part of our extended family,” Puri remarked, while thanking the media partners. “We are immensely grateful for the media’s unwavering support in helping us share the story of U.S. tourism’s continued growth.”
Notably, Brand USA is represented by Sartha Global Marketing in India. Company’s Managing Director, Sheema Vohra and PR Director, Arpita Sinha were also present at the themed dinner hosted at The Mission Bay, New Delhi.
