New Delhi, 28 October (H.S.): The 14th International Tourism Mart (ITM) will be held in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from October 29 to 31, bringing together more than 200 participants, including domestic and international buyers and sellers, to showcase the tourism potential of Northeast India.

Organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states, the three-day event will provide a platform to promote the region’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthen business partnerships. International buyers representing 22 countries are expected to participate.

The inaugural ceremony on October 29 will be attended by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi, and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The programme will include the inauguration of the North East Bazaar and cultural performances showcasing the region’s rich traditions.

According to the Tourism Ministry, 43 international buyers from 22 countries are expected to attend the mart. These countries include Australia, Bhutan, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.

Domestic buyers, tourism service providers and sellers from all eight northeastern states will also participate, creating opportunities for networking, business development and collaboration.

The mart will feature presentations on tourism destinations and products from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. These presentations will highlight the distinctive attractions, tourism experiences and offerings of each state, as well as opportunities to develop integrated tourism circuits across the region.

Business-to-business (B2B) meetings between domestic and international buyers and tourism service providers from the Northeast are scheduled for October 30. The sessions aim to encourage commercial partnerships, facilitate the development of new tourism products and improve market access for regional tourism entrepreneurs.

Technical sessions will address key issues affecting tourism development in the Northeast. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will lead discussions on developing the region’s live events and concert economy, while the Ministry of Home Affairs will lead a session on facilitating tourist access to protected and restricted areas.

Royal Enfield will also deliver a presentation titled “Beyond Destinations: Creating Immersive Journeys in North East India”, exploring opportunities to expand experience-based tourism in the region.

The North East Bazaar will showcase traditional arts, handicrafts, textiles and cultural heritage from the eight states. Delegates will also have opportunities to experience regional cuisines and cultural performances reflecting the area’s diverse traditions.

As part of the programme, participants will visit prominent attractions in and around Tawang, including Tawang Monastery, Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jang Waterfall, Tawang War Memorial, Urgelling Gompa—the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama—Buddha Park, Pankang Teng Tso Lake and Shernup village.

Familiarisation tours for international delegates are scheduled to begin from Guwahati on November 1, providing visitors with first-hand exposure to the region’s landscapes, spiritual heritage, local traditions and rural tourism experiences.

A regional meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states will also be held on October 30 under the chairmanship of Shekhawat. The meeting will focus on strengthening tourism development and enhancing cooperation among the states.

The 14th edition marks the return of the International Tourism Mart to Tawang after 13 years. The town previously hosted the event’s second edition in 2013, while the most recent edition was held in Gangtok, Sikkim, in November 2025.

The annual initiative is intended to position Northeast India as a prominent domestic and international tourism destination by promoting its natural landscapes, cultural diversity and adventure tourism opportunities.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar