43 global buyers, 8 states: Tawang tourism mart seeks to put Northeast on world travel map

Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang is hosting the 14th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), bringing together more than 200 domestic and international tourism stakeholders to showcase the Northeast’s tourism potential and strengthen business partnerships.

The three-day event, being held from October 29 to 31, has been organised by the Union Tourism Ministry in association with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other northeastern states.

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu attended the inaugural programme at Vivanta Tawang on Thursday.

The event features the inauguration of the North East Bazaar and cultural performances highlighting the region’s diverse traditions and heritage.

The Tourism Ministry’s annual flagship event aims to position the Northeast as a tourism destination in domestic and international markets. It provides a platform for tourism businesses, entrepreneurs, tour operators, government agencies and media representatives to explore collaborations and expand tourism linkages.

According to the organisers, 43 international buyers from 22 countries are participating in the event. These 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.

Domestic buyers, tourism service providers and sellers from all eight northeastern states are also participating, with business interactions expected to facilitate new partnerships and expand market access.

A regional meeting of tourism ministers from the northeastern states is scheduled for October 30 under the chairmanship of Shekhawat. The meeting will focus on tourism development and strengthening cooperation among the states.

Destination and tourism product presentations by Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will showcase their distinctive attractions and experiences, alongside combined tourism circuits and products spanning the region.

Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions scheduled for October 30 will bring domestic and international buyers together with tourism service providers from the Northeast to explore new tourism products, expand market access and develop commercial partnerships.

Technical sessions will also address key challenges and opportunities in regional tourism. These include promoting live events and concerts, led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and facilitating tourist access to Protected and Restricted Areas, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The mart is expected to provide a platform for tourism stakeholders to develop new itineraries, strengthen industry networks and increase the Northeast’s visibility among domestic and international travellers.