Tuesday, August 27, 2024 India and the U.S. are witnessing a steady increase in travel between the two nations, but there is still untapped potential to further enhance tourism.
Key solutions proposed at the first Indo-U.S. Tourism and Hospitality Summit, held by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in Delhi, include the implementation of faster visa processes and the expansion of direct flight options.
Challenges and Opportunities in India-U.S. Travel Suman Billa, Additional Secretary with India’s Tourism Ministry, highlighted that a significant portion of India-U.
S. air travel currently involves stopovers in third countries like those in the Middle East or Europe. He emphasized that increasing the number of direct flights between India and the U.
S. would not only make travel more cost-effective but also improve the convenience for passengers. Despite the benefits, the expansion of direct flight routes remains limited.
Presently, Air India, American Airlines, and United Airlines are the primary carriers offering non-stop flights between the two countries. However, there is room for more routes and frequency to meet the growing demand. Visa Processing Improvements While obtaining a U.
S. visa is valid for 10 years, the application process remains cumbersome for many travelers. Nevertheless, progress has been made.
The U.S. Embassy in India has successfully reduced visa appointment wait times by 75% over the past year, despite a 60% increase in applications.
This improvement.