Representative Image / Pexels

The world celebrates the World Tourism Day on September 27.  As we know, tourism is more than just a vacations.  It is a vital force for culture, economy, and diplomacy. In 2025, under the theme “Tourism and Peace,” this moment is especially meaningful for two democracies that have increasingly intertwined through travel: Bharat (India) and the United States. Their tourism relationship is not just about numbers; it is a story of cultural exchange, economic opportunity, and building human connection.

Tourism is one of the most resilient industries globally, contributing over $1.7 trillion to the world economy in 2024. The United States, with iconic destinations from New York to the Grand Canyon, welcomed more than 66 million international visitors last year. India, often celebrated for its cultural depth and diversity, attracted nearly 9.7 million foreign tourists in 2024.  The domestic Indian travel surged past 1.8 billion trips. Within these flows, the exchange between the U.S. and India stands out. Americans are now the largest source of foreign visitors to India, with over 1.75 million Americans traveling there in 2024, while roughly 1.9 million Indians visited the United States during the same period—a 48 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.

These figures reflect more than tourism—they reveal curiosity and admiration between the two societies. Americans find in India a tapestry of experiences: the Taj Mahal, the spiritual rituals of Varanasi, Kerala’s backwaters, Jaipur’s heritage, and the growing appeal of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. For Indians, the United States offers iconic cities, national parks, cultural landmarks, and a society marked by innovation and diversity. Students also play a key role; over 270,000 Indians studying in U.S. universities strengthen both educational and cultural ties, often combining study with tourism, exploring cities, nature, and history.

Economically, this tourism exchange is significant. In the U.S., it supports nearly nine million jobs and contributes close to three percent of the GDP, with Indian visitors representing a high-value segment due to longer stays and higher spending. For India, tourism accounts for roughly five percent of GDP and provides more than 40 million jobs. Foreign tourism in India sustains local economies, benefiting artisans, guides, and small businesses, while domestic tourism drives regional development. Both nations demonstrate that tourism is a powerful tool for livelihoods, income generation, and cultural preservation.

Tourism diplomacy has become strategic. Air connectivity now links major Indian cities with major US cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.. Initiatives like digital visa processing, joint cultural festivals, and film collaborations—Hollywood filming in Rajasthan and Bollywood in cities like New York or Miami—foster tourism and mutual understanding. Campaigns like “Incredible India” and U.S. tourism promotions attract visitors, while diaspora communities bridge personal connections, welcoming family and friends from across continents.

Challenges remain. Mid-2025 reports show Indian arrivals to the U.S. dipped for the first time in over two decades, with June recording about 210,000 visitors, down eight percent from 2024. Rising costs, changes in visa regulations, and currency fluctuations may contribute to this decline. In India, foreign arrivals are rebounding but have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. Both countries must invest in infrastructure, affordability, and ease of travel to maintain momentum.

Sustainability is also central. India’s fragile Himalayan ecosystems, tiger reserves, and wetlands must balance conservation with visitor access. The U.S. faces similar pressures in national parks, from overtourism to climate impacts. Both nations are innovating: eco-lodges, renewable energy in hospitality, digital monitoring, and community-based tourism programs. Technology further reshapes experiences, from India’s e-visa systems to AI-driven trip planning in the United States, making tourism safer, smoother, and more personalized.

At its core, tourism is about human connection. An American traveler in India experiences warmth, traditions, and diversity, while an Indian visiting the U.S. encounters openness, innovation, and multicultural vibrancy. These journeys cultivate empathy, respect, and shared understanding. Each traveler is an unofficial ambassador, carrying stories that foster peace beyond borders.

World Tourism Day 2025 is a reminder that tourism is more than industry—it is a force for dialogue and friendship. The U.S.-India partnership illustrates how travel can drive economic growth while deepening cultural understanding. Policies that improve visa efficiency, expand connectivity, and promote sustainable travel will further enhance these ties.

Tourism is also a lesson in patience and humility. From a backpacker exploring Dharamshala to a retiree visiting Niagara Falls, from a Silicon Valley engineer seeking yoga training in Rishikesh to a business professional attending a conference in Chicago, each journey fosters recognition of a shared global identity. Despite differences in language, religion, or lifestyle, tourism proves that people across continents are connected by curiosity, respect, and aspiration.

In celebrating World Tourism Day, we recognize that every flight, every train ride, and every journey across oceans is more than miles traveled—it is a testament to human bonds. Bharat and the United States, through tourism, demonstrate that even in a divided world, travel remains one of the most powerful messengers of peace, understanding, and shared purpose.

Tourism between India and the U.S. is thus not just an industry metric. It is memory, dialogue, and hope. On this World Tourism Day, as stories are exchanged and cultures meet, the journeys of travelers remind us that while the world is vast, it is also intimately connected. Every tourist is an ambassador, and every journey is a bridge—linking hearts, minds, and civilizations.

 

Dr Lavkush Mishra is Dean and Senior most Professor at Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Agra, India.

Dr. Narendra K. Rustagi is Director of the Center for Global Business Studies and a Professor at the School of Business, Howard University.  

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)