Guwahati, 07 July (HS): Assam has witnessed a steady rise in tourist arrivals over the past five years, with a total of 3,56,92,384 domestic and foreign tourists visiting the state from 2021-22 to 2025-26, Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog informed the Assam Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Replying to a written question by BJP MLA Bhupen Ray during the Budget Session, the minister presented year-wise data on tourist arrivals and also shared details of visitors to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and major tourist destinations across the state.

According to the Tourism Department, Assam received 17,01,701 domestic and 1,231 foreign tourists in 2021-22; 98,12,195 domestic and 18,946 foreign tourists in 2022-23; 70,41,206 domestic and 26,129 foreign tourists in 2023-24; 84,88,842 domestic and 27,563 foreign tourists in 2024-25; and 85,27,556 domestic and 47,015 foreign tourists in 2025-26.

The minister stated that the Tourism Department does not maintain consolidated data on revenue generated from domestic and foreign tourists, although revenue records are maintained by the respective authorities managing major tourist destinations.

Neog said the state government has implemented several initiatives to promote tourism, including infrastructure development under the PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan and Uttaran schemes with financial support from the Union Ministry of Tourism, the North Eastern Council and the Assam Government.

She added that rural guesthouses have been developed to create self-employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas, while tea tourism projects have been established in historic tea estates. The state has also promoted Assam tourism through participation in tourism fairs and branding initiatives across the country.

The minister informed the House that these initiatives have yielded positive results and added that the government currently has no proposal to appoint a brand ambassador for Assam tourism.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash