<div>In 2013, around 859,000 visitors from India toured US and between them spent $5.6 billion during their trip. That makes Indian visitors the 10th largest contributors to US tourism, just behind the French who spent $5.9 billion.<br /><br />Indian visitors to the US have also been steadily increasing the length of their stay in the US with the average length of stay now up to 20 days from 18 days last year. <br /><br />Given the high value that the Indian visitor brings, it's not surprising then that Uncle Sam came calling trying to entice more Indians to visit US shores. <br /><br />The target is 1.3 million visitors from India by 2018.<br /><br />Brand USA, the tourism roadshow that began three years ago with a promotional blitzkrieg in two cities - Delhi and Mumbai - was here yet again. This time with yet another city – Bangalore - added to the itinerary. Apart from showcasing a range of destinations and diverse experiences Indian tourists can enjoy in the US, the message being rammed home during the pitch to tour operators, media and travel fraternity was that the US is doing all it can to ease visa regulations and processes. <br /><br />Jay Gray, Vice President Global Market Development, Brand USA for instance talked about how most consulates here are now giving out 10-year visas so that repeated visits are not needed. In addition, he described how a new immigration facility set up by the US in Abu Dhabi allows passengers on certain flights to the US to clear immigration, customs and agriculture inspections there itself during transit so that they can sail through as domestic arrival when entering the <br /><br />This facility is available for passengers on certain Etihad flights.<br /><br /><img width="300" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="260" align="right" src="/image/image_gallery?uuid=467eb532-0b86-402a-93c2-f3a93e2e38b5&groupId=36166&t=1410780181503" alt="" />According to Gray, one of the reasons for the big lift in Indian arrivals to the US is the connectivity push provided by Emirates and Etihad. “Now you have these airlines connecting smaller cities in India to the US at a great price,” says Gray, also mentioning the comfortable new A-380 flights from the middle eastern hubs to the US.<br /><br />Significantly, the tourism pitch being made by regions such as Florida, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas went beyond the usual theme parks and entertainment zones. Tampa Bay in Florida for instance was pitching for MICE business – playing up the hosting of the IIFA awards there.<br /><br />Tom Kiely, EVP, Tourism, San Francisco Travel Association who said 80,000 Indian visitors passed through his region made it a point to stress that there was more to see beyond the Golden Gate and cable rides in San Francisco. “”There is a diversity of culture experience that San Francisco offers that tourists can wrap their hands around. And then there are wine tours south of San Francisco at Napa Valley, there is the Yosemite national Park..” he said. <br /><br />And, even as they sold history, culture, museum, great drives - hold your breath, the Brand USA mission actually even unveiled a Food Guide – with plenty of vegetarian options - to tempt the Indian visitor! Food and the US? We asked Jay Gray - who at once talked about Tex Mex. <br /><br />Well, the way to a tourist's heart certainly appears to be through the stomach! <br /><br /><img width="630" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="296" align="middle" src="/image/image_gallery?uuid=524bfe1a-8d20-4fd2-ae36-0830790f4aed&groupId=36166&t=1410780137956" alt="" /><br />chitra@businessworld.in<br />Chitra.narayanan@gmail.com<br /> </div>
 (1)_20240616001656_original_image_16.webp)
_20240607151518_original_image_20.webp)
