Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: The 14th International Tourism Mart finished its main sessions in Tawang on October 30. This three-day event drew stakeholders from 22 countries and 16 Indian states. Attendance included 43 international buyers, 42 domestic buyers, and 81 sellers. Participants represented regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
Delegates locked in 1,580 business-to-business meetings. These sessions targeted new travel itineraries and commercial partnerships. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chaired a regional meeting on October 30 with ministers from all eight North Eastern states. They discussed infrastructure, permit regulations, and future growth. Shekhawat stressed, "The need to convert the Northeast's tourism potential into sustainable business opportunities and employment for local communities."
Technical sessions highlighted significant regional growth. Additional Secretary Suman Billa noted that domestic tourist visits surged from 1.32 billion in 2014 to 4.34 billion in 2025. Airport counts in the Northeast jumped from nine to 17 during that span. National highway coverage expanded by over 5,000 kilometers. Discussions focused on the Dekho Apna Desh 2.0 initiative and a new digital tourism stack to streamline bookings.
The event also addressed the Restricted Area Permit and Protected Area Permit framework. Officials pushed for simpler, faster application procedures to benefit travelers. The North East Bazaar displayed local handicrafts and textiles while cultural performances filled the schedule. Delegates toured Tawang Monastery and the War Memorial. Tours of Buddha Park and PTSO Lake follow on October 31. This was the first time Tawang hosted the Mart since 2013.
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