Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh will host the 14th International Tourism Mart from October 29 to 31, bringing together domestic and international tourism stakeholders to promote the North East’s tourism potential and strengthen business partnerships.
Organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the Arunachal Pradesh government and other north-eastern states, the three-day event at Hotel Vivanta is expected to draw more than 200 participants, including 43 international buyers from 22 countries.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu will attend the inaugural programme on October 29. The opening will include the inauguration of the North East Bazaar and cultural performances.
The Ministry’s annual flagship event provides a platform for tourism businesses, entrepreneurs, tour operators and government agencies to explore partnerships and promote the region’s natural, cultural and adventure tourism offerings.
All eight north-eastern states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura -will present their destinations and tourism products, including opportunities for combined regional circuits.
Business-to-business sessions on October 30 will connect domestic and international buyers with tourism service providers from the region. International participants will include buyers from Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, among other countries.
Technical sessions will examine the North East’s live events and concert economy, tourist access to Protected and Restricted Areas, and opportunities for experience-based travel. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will lead discussions on the first two subjects, respectively.
The North East Bazaar will showcase traditional arts, handicrafts and textiles, while cultural performances and regional cuisines will introduce delegates to the diversity of the eight states.
Technical visits are planned to attractions in and around Tawang, including Tawang Monastery, Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jang Waterfall, Tawang War Memorial, Urgelling Gompa, Buddha Park, Pankang Teng Tso Lake and Shernup Village. Familiarisation tours for international delegates will begin from Guwahati on November 1.
A regional meeting of tourism ministers from the north-eastern states will also be held on October 30 under Shekhawat’s chairmanship to discuss tourism development and inter-state cooperation.
The mart returns to Tawang after 13 years, following its second edition there in 2013. The previous edition was held in Gangtok, Sikkim, in November 2025.
(PIB)
