With the number of Indian travellers to the US expected to touch the 9-lakh figure in the next five years, a United States commerce department-supported voluntary organization, VUSACOM or the Visit USA committee, has recently set up its Indian chapter in the city.

Membership to the VUSACOM-India Chapter will comprise companies or entities such as travel firms, airlines, car rentals, cruise liners, trade professionals, CRS companies, hotels, transportation companies and media. Besides facilitating visa communication with consular services, the committee will showcase emerging destinations, act as a B2B platform for agents and operators, facilitate meetings with US travel suppliers and support US programmes for promoting travel. 

Despite the economic slowdown, statistics show that Indians have spent five times more than others at retail outlets in the US. Indians visiting the US in 2010 spent an average of $4,390, totalling to a staggering $2.86 billion for 6, 51,000 visitors. According to a projection by International Trade Administration (ITA)-a body of the US Department of Commerce, the US anticipates a 50% rise in the number of travellers from India by 2016. The US commerce circuit believes that the much-needed push for America's tourism industry will come from Indians.

VUSACOM recently flagged off a unique shopping privilege programme called "The Key to Madison Avenue Card Program". The cards, which will be given free to select travel agencies and tour operators, will entitle their high-end Indian clients to special deals and VIP privileges at Madison Avenue.