• Despite a global downturn in US tourism due to rising anti-immigrant sentiment fueled by MAGA rhetoric and trade disputes, the number of Indian visitors to the United States has surged, reaching nearly 1.9 million from January to October 2024—a 48% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
• This significant increase positions India as the sixth-largest source market for US inbound tourism and the largest in Asia, surpassing countries like China, South Korea, and Japan, driven by India's substantial spending power, averaging $5,200 per visitor.
• Conversely, other international tourist arrivals have plummeted, with Tourism Economics forecasting a 9.4% decline in 2025, a stark contrast to the previously expected 9% growth, resulting in potential tourism revenue losses of $64 billion.
• While the US travel industry seeks to address this decline by streamlining visa processes, the MAGA administration's rhetoric and policies, including unsubstantiated claims about mandatory registration for foreign nationals, are further deterring international travel and damaging the US's global reputation.