Northeast tourism: Shekhawat opens 14th ITM in Tawang, flags 58% visitor surge
Synopsis
The 14th International Tourism Mart has returned to Tawang after 13 years — and the numbers tell a compelling story: domestic tourist visits to the Northeast jumped 58% between 2019 and 2025, and this edition drew a record 43 international buyers from 22 countries. With over ₹3,060 crore sanctioned across five central schemes, the Centre is betting big on positioning the region as India's next major tourism frontier.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the 14th ITM in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on 29 October 2026 .
The Mart drew 43 international buyers from 22 countries — the highest-ever international participation in ITM history.
Domestic tourist visits to the Northeast grew 58% , from 95.65 lakh in 2019 to 1.51 crore in 2025 .
Central schemes have sanctioned projects worth over ₹3,060 crore across Swadesh Darshan 1.0 and 2.0, SASCI, PRASHAD, and Challenge Based Destination Development.
10 tourism routes in the Northeast are supported under the Regional Connectivity Scheme–UDAN.
A regional Tourism Ministers' meeting is scheduled for 30 October to deliberate on cooperation and emerging opportunities.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 29 October 2026 inaugurated the 14th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, spotlighting the Northeast's immense tourism potential rooted in its biodiversity, cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, and scenic landscapes. The three-day mart, running from 29 to 31 October, aims to position the eight Northeastern states as leading destinations for adventure, nature-based, and experiential tourism on both domestic and global maps.
Record International Participation at Tawang
This edition has drawn 43 international buyers from 22 countries — the highest-ever international buyer turnout in the Mart's history — alongside 42 domestic buyers from 16 states and Union Territories and 81 sellers. Shekhawat noted that hosting the event in Tawang, after a 13-year gap since the second edition was held there in 2013, would bring fresh attention to lesser-known Northeastern destinations.
The inaugural session was attended by Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas; Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region; Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; and Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim. Tourism ministers from across the Northeastern states, along with international and domestic trade stakeholders, were also present.
Tourism Growth Numbers and Infrastructure Push
Shekhawat highlighted a striking demand shift: domestic tourist visits to the eight Northeastern states rose from 95.65 lakh in 2019 to 1.51 crore in 2025, a growth of roughly 58%. He attributed part of this momentum to sustained Central government investment in connectivity and destination infrastructure.
On the supply side, he outlined cumulative project sanctions across multiple central schemes: 16 projects worth ₹1,309 crore under Swadesh Darshan 1.0; 17 projects worth ₹564 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0; nine projects worth ₹139 crore under Challenge Based Destination Development; nine projects worth ₹790 crore under SASCI; and nine projects worth ₹258 crore under PRASHAD. Additionally, 10 tourism routes in the region have been supported under the Regional Connectivity Scheme–UDAN.
Adventure, Music Festivals, and Community Tourism in Focus
Shekhawat specifically emphasised adventure tourism, music festivals, and concert tourism as emerging segments capable of attracting new visitor profiles, encouraging longer stays, and generating economic opportunities for local communities. He called for developing these offerings with appropriate safety standards, environmental safeguards, and meaningful community participation.
Minister of State Suresh Gopi underscored the Ministry's push through Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 and the National Digital Tourism Stack to promote lesser-known destinations and improve digital visibility for local tourism service providers. The North East Bazaar was also inaugurated as part of the Mart, showcasing regional handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural products.
Partnerships, B2B Meetings, and What Comes Next
Shekhawat described the ITM as having evolved from a promotional platform into 'a platform for building partnerships, generating business opportunities and creating a shared vision for the growth of tourism in the Northeast region.' The Mart will feature tourism presentations by all eight Northeastern states and structured B2B meetings between buyers and sellers.
A regional meeting of Tourism Ministers of the Northeastern states is scheduled for Friday, 30 October, to deliberate on tourism development, regional cooperation, tourist facilitation, and emerging opportunities. With record international participation and fresh infrastructure commitments, the Mart's outcomes are likely to shape the Northeast's tourism roadmap for the near term.
Point of View
But the more telling metric will be average spend per visitor and the share of revenue accruing to local communities rather than external operators — data the Ministry has not yet published. The Northeast's tourism story has historically been constrained less by demand than by last-mile connectivity and accommodation quality; the ₹3,060 crore-plus already sanctioned is substantial, but project completion rates under Swadesh Darshan 1.0 were uneven. Record international buyer participation is a genuine milestone, but translating mart registrations into actual arrivals requires sustained visa facilitation and airlift capacity — both of which remain bottlenecks at remote destinations like Tawang.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2026 in Tawang?
The International Tourism Mart is an annual event organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism to showcase the tourism potential of India's eight Northeastern states to domestic and international buyers. The 14th edition is being held in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 29 to 31 October 2026, and marks the Mart's return to Tawang after 13 years.
How much has Northeast tourism grown in recent years?
Domestic tourist visits to the eight Northeastern states increased from 95.65 lakh in 2019 to 1.51 crore in 2025, registering a growth of approximately 58%, according to figures shared by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the event.
What Central government funds have been allocated for Northeast tourism infrastructure?
The Centre has sanctioned 16 projects worth ₹1,309 crore under Swadesh Darshan 1.0, 17 projects worth ₹564 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, nine projects worth ₹139 crore under Challenge Based Destination Development, nine projects worth ₹790 crore under SASCI, and nine projects worth ₹258 crore under PRASHAD. Ten tourism routes also receive support under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme.
Who attended the inauguration of the 14th ITM?
The inaugural session was attended by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministers of State Suresh Gopi and Sukanta Majumdar, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Tourism Ministers from Northeastern states, and international and domestic tourism stakeholders.
What happens after the ITM inauguration?
The three-day Mart continues through 31 October, featuring tourism presentations by all eight Northeastern states and structured B2B meetings. A regional meeting of Northeastern Tourism Ministers is scheduled for 30 October to discuss regional cooperation, tourist facilitation, and emerging tourism opportunities.
