It’s this potential of the outbound travellers from India that brought the U.S. Ambassador to India, Richard R Verma and Kelly Craighead, Executive Director, National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, to inaugurate the Brand USA pavilion at SATTE 2016, held from January 29-31, 2016, in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Tourism from India to the United States has been rapidly increasing. In 2014, more than 900,000 Indians applied for visas to travel to the United States. In 2015, that number surpassed one million. Over half of these visitors travel to the US for leisure: visiting friends and family and as tourists. In addition to the important leisure sector, the U.S. Embassy and four Consulates in India have implemented a coordinated effort to encourage more MICE travel to the US.
Verma while welcoming Kelly to India, to participate in SATTE appreciated the fact in an official release that Indians represent one of the fastest growing groups of visitors to the United States. “President Obama is committed to a national strategy to encourage travellers to choose the United States as a travel and tourism destination, and Kelly’s visit reinforces the U.S. government’s commitment to welcoming more Indian visitors to our country,” he added.
Echoing similar views Craighead in a similar fashion highlighted the fact that visitors from India spent US$9.8 billion experiencing the United States in 2014, representing its seventh largest international market for visitor spending in an official statement. “As such, I am thrilled to be in India for SATTE to celebrate the importance of the Indian travel and tourism market to the United States and to encourage more travel in the future,” she added.
For the uninitiated, SATTE is one of India’s major annual travel and tourism shows with more than 750 exhibitors from nearly 35 countries. Here, Sheema Vohra, Managing Director, Brand USA India further added, “As a year round destination, the USA offers countless experiences for discerning Indian travellers. We look forward to using SATTE to continue our interaction with the Indian travel trade and to educate them on the latest products and offerings that the U.S. has to offer.”
Speaking exclusively to T3, Norbert Simon, Senior Market Manager, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment confirmed that the quality of buyers has improved in all the four editions that Brand USA has attended here at SATTE. Adding on Larry Friedman, Deputy Director, Tourism, Nevada Commission on Tourism, said, “Brand USA witnesses demand for many new attractions at SATTE 2016. Discerning Indian tourists want to visit the popular tourists attractions like the Las Vegas, but are equally keen on exploring new less known attractions across the U.S.”
Further, Robert Y. Graff, Vice President of Marketing, Papillon Group in his own unique style explained that SATTE is a brilliant opportunity to witness the world of Indian travel market. “I look at the Indian demographic, dividend Indian as a brilliant opportunity to draw outbound travellers to the U.S.,” he added.
Excitement was palpable on face of Wilfred Whatoname Jr., Media Relation Ambassador, Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, who patiently explained the tribal concept of regalia. “It was important for us to come to India and witness the dynamics of the market that supplies literally speaking at times busloads of travellers to our resorts,” said Wilfred.
