Indian Travelers Want to Visit the U.S. — Even as Others Avoid it

Donald Trump’s return to power has crushed interest in visiting the United States among global travelers – with one major exception: Indians expressed growing enthusiasm for U.S. travel, according to an exclusive new survey from Skift Research. 

The survey revealed sentiment of prospective travelers in five major source markets: Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The results showed sharp declines in interest in visiting the United States as a result of the political environment and policies of the Trump administration.

Given the broad gloom from Toronto to Berlin, India stands out: Indian travelers were the only major group to report a net positive shift in their intent to visit the U.S. over the past 12 months.

In Canada, the share of negatively biased travelers exceeded those with a positive bias by 36%. In India, there was a net positivity gap of +41% in favor of travelers being “more likely” to visit the U.S. today versus 12 months ago.

Go Deeper into the Survey Results: “How Trump and U.S. Politics Are Shaping Inbound Tourism Sentiment in 2025.”

A Nation of Aspirants: Why the U.S. Still Matters for Indians

For Indian travelers, especially students and young professionals, the United States remains more than a destination — it’s a launchpad for ambition. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, in the 2023/24 academic year, Indian students officially became the largest international student group in the U.S., surpassing their Chinese counterparts for the first time in 15 years. 

This milestone reflects a broader mindset: for many urban, upwardly mobile Indians, traveling to the U.S. is not just about academic credentials — it’s about accessing global networks and long-term opportunities. 

Politics from a Distance: Curiosity, Not Concern

While political shifts in the U.S. may rattle travelers from Europe or Canada, Indian travelers appear far less affected. According to our latest survey, only 17% of Indian respondents said that the return of Donald Trump would make them less likely to visit the U.S., compared to more than 50% of respondents from Europe and Canada.

Indians also stood apart in how they viewed U.S. political stability. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 denotes “Very Poor” and 5 means “Excellent,” Indian travelers rated the U.S. a 4, while their counterparts in Canada and Germany rated it just a 2.

Open-ended responses revealed a pragmatic, and in some cases even favorable, view of Trump — especially in relation to India. One respondent noted, “His relationship with India and reduced crime rates have influenced my likelihood of visiting the U.S.” Another said, “I find Donald Trump an impressive leader; his rapport with Narendra Modi impresses me a lot.”

For many Indians, the U.S. political climate is seen more as background noise than a decisive factor. The result: a traveler mindset shaped more by curiosity and strategic opportunity than political caution.

Social Capital and Traveling to Visit Family

For many Indian travelers, international trips are deeply personal — driven by the desire to visit friends and relatives. The U.S. is home to the largest Indian diaspora globally, with 5.4 million people of Indian origin, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Other key countries include the UAE (3.6 million), Malaysia (2.9 million), and Canada (2.8 million).

This widespread presence fuels steady travel rooted in family ties, cultural connection, and emotional pull. Travel to visit family and friends tends to be resilient to global disruptions, making it a reliable market for destinations like the U.S. For travel brands, this means an opportunity to engage Indian travelers by blending cultural familiarity with new experiences.

Long-Term Ambition

The U.S. continues to draw Indian travelers — not just tourists or students, but also those driven by deeper ambitions and long-term dreams. 

The aspiration among Indian travelers is perhaps most evident in the lengths some are willing to go. According to Pew Research, India had the third-largest unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S. in 2022 — an estimated 725,000 — behind only Mexico and El Salvador.

For some, the U.S. represents more than a destination — it’s a long-term opportunity worth pursuing, despite the risks.

The India Opportunity for U.S. Travel Brands

As other source markets slow, India is emerging as a rare bright spot for U.S. tourism. The numbers speak for themselves: steady outbound growth, a rising middle and upper-middle class, and a strong emotional pull toward the U.S. as a destination.

Indian travelers are increasingly tying their U.S. visits to goals — whether it’s higher education, career exploration, or reconnecting with family. For many, it’s part of a meaningful journey, not just a leisure trip.

This presents an opportunity for U.S. travel brands to better align with these evolving motivations. Rather than focusing solely on tourism, brands can position themselves as partners in key life moments — offering services and messaging that acknowledge the broader purpose behind the trip.

Practical steps include developing student-focused packages that support the move from India to U.S. campuses, or crafting travel options tailored to families visiting relatives, often across generations. Travel products can also be more modular — accommodating longer stays, multiple destinations, and flexible schedules.

Loyalty programs should go beyond transactional rewards to offer long-term value, recognizing that many Indian travelers return to the U.S. across different life stages. There’s also a strong case for culturally attuned content: collaborating with Indian creators, using familiar references, and emphasizing convenience and trust.

Emotional connection still matters — but it should be grounded in relevance. Think curated itineraries that blend cultural familiarity with discovery, or events that acknowledge Indian holidays and community moments.

The message should be clear: the U.S. isn’t just a destination — it’s a launchpad.