The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) hosted a high-level CEO roundtable in New Delhi with Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, bringing together senior leaders from across the U.S.–India tourism ecosystem to explore deeper collaboration in the rapidly expanding sector.

Speaking at the roundtable, Minister Shekhawat emphasized: “India’s cultural diversity, history, cuisine, and traditions make it one of the world’s most vibrant destinations. With 100 percent FDI permitted in the tourism sector, we have opened the door wide for investment and inbound tourism. The United States remains a critical partner in our growth story, and together we will create the right environment to make India a global tourism leader.”

USISPF noted that Shekhawat highlighted India’s focus on unlocking Bharat’s cultural richness, boosting tourism, and creating new opportunities for growth in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Vikas Abhi, Virasat Bhi.

President & CEO of USISPF, Mukesh Aghi, added, “Industry–government collaboration is essential to fully realize the potential of India’s tourism sector. With India’s rich cultural heritage, expanding hospitality infrastructure, and supportive policy framework, tourism can become a central pillar of India’s services economy and a powerful driver of jobs and growth.”

The roundtable featured participation from major U.S.-based companies, including Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, VFS Global, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Netflix, Airbnb, and Marriott International, alongside global financial institutions such as HSBC.

According to USISPF, companies in the sector are experiencing double-digit growth in India and actively exploring opportunities to expand. Discussions underscored the potential of India’s diverse tourism offerings—from spiritual and cultural circuits to wellness, heritage, and new destination tourism.

Both sides highlighted the importance of ease of doing business, targeted incentives, infrastructure development, and public–private collaboration. A joint working group will be created to drive actionable initiatives and sustain momentum in strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem.

The statement further noted that “India’s tourism industry is on a strong upward trajectory, contributing approximately 5 percent to the nation’s GDP, with projections to reach 10 percent by 2030. The sector sustains more than 76 million jobs across hospitality, transport, and communications.” Investor confidence is also rising sharply, with U.S. foreign direct investment in hospitality and hotels increasing by 216 percent—from $43.8 million in 2023 to $138.4 million in 2024.

“With India permitting 100 percent FDI in the construction and development of hotels, resorts, and tourism infrastructure, the government has underscored its commitment to positioning tourism as a key driver of economic growth,” the statement added. In FY 2024–25, India recorded $9.8 billion in total FDI inflows, a 14 percent year-on-year increase, with tourism and hospitality emerging as a major contributor. Overall, the sector now generates over $199.6 billion in GDP, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of India’s services-led growth story.

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