Indian travel to the United States recorded a rare setback in June 2025, with arrivals falling 8% year-over-year, marking the first decline in more than two decades outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data from the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) shows that about 210,000 Indians visited the U.S. in June, compared with 230,000 in June 2024. The decline came during what is typically a peak season for tourism, student travel, and business visits.
Industry observers attribute the dip to a combination of factors, including visa processing delays, high living costs in the U.S., and shifting travel preferences among Indian tourists. Preliminary figures for July indicate that the slowdown is continuing, with arrivals from India down by around 5.5% year-over-year.
The broader U.S. travel market also saw weakness, with total international arrivals falling 6.2% in June, reflecting softer demand from multiple source markets.
Regional and Sectoral Impact
The decline in Indian visitors comes at a time when the U.S. has emerged as a top destination for Indian students, business professionals, and tourists. A prolonged slowdown could weigh on sectors such as aviation, education, and hospitality, where Indian demand has been a key driver of growth in these areas.
Airlines are already reporting weaker ticket demand. According to industry data, fares from cities like Ahmedabad to U.S. destinations have dropped significantly in recent weeks, reflecting reduced travel volumes amid visa bottlenecks.
Opportunities for the GCC
Travel analysts note that while U.S. numbers are slipping, Indian outbound tourism remains strong overall, with travellers increasingly turning to short-haul destinations such as the UAE and the wider GCC. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in particular, continue to benefit from the rising number of Indian arrivals, supported by convenient connectivity and a diversified range of tourism offerings.
The June decline marks a rare reversal in what has been a steady growth trend in India–U.S. travel since 2001, highlighting how global travel dynamics are shifting in response to economic, policy, and consumer preference changes.
