India’s Northeast region has seen a sharp rebound in domestic tourism, with visits surging 58% since 2019. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the eight states recorded 1.51 crore domestic tourist arrivals in 2025, up from 95.65 lakh in 2019—a recovery that shows the region’s growing appeal despite still accounting for just 0.43% of India’s total domestic tourism. Foreign visitors also rose 10.43% to 240,000 in 2024, though the region remains a niche destination internationally.
The growth was highlighted at the 14th International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, where Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat framed the numbers as evidence of tourism’s post-pandemic recovery. “The Northeast is truly starting now,” said Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General of the Ministry of Tourism.
Yet the region’s potential remains untapped. While domestic visits grew 5.54% in 2024, the Northeast’s share of India’s tourism remains minuscule. Shekhawat pointed to biodiversity and Himalayan environments as well as cultural heritage as untapped assets, suggesting adventure, nature-based, and experiential tourism could drive further expansion. Music festivals and concert tourism were also flagged as ways to attract longer stays.
The government has backed this vision with infrastructure investments. Additionally, 10 tourism routes have received support under the Regional Connectivity Scheme–UDAN, aiming to improve air and road links.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu echoed the need for a unified approach. He called for an integrated tourism circuit linking the Northeast’s environments, festivals, and indigenous cultures, arguing the region should no longer be seen as a distant outpost but as a global tourism frontier.
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Khandu noted the scheme’s role in creating rural tourism opportunities, though he stressed the need to balance economic gains with environmental protection. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang added that tourism could drive entrepreneurship and employment, particularly among youth. He urged states to collaborate on positioning the Northeast as a year-round destination, blending cultural festivals with business events like MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).
This year’s ITM saw 43 international buyers from 22 countries, the highest-ever participation, alongside 42 domestic buyers and 81 sellers. The three-day event, running from October 29–31, focused on B2B partnerships and promoting lesser-known attractions. Business meetings and media familiarization trips aimed to boost Arunachal Pradesh’s visibility, particularly in adventure and cultural tourism.
The event’s return to Tawang after 14 years marked a deliberate effort to highlight the state’s untapped potential. Officials emphasized sustainability and community-driven models, with Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi noting that film tourism could further globalize the region’s appeal.
Business interactions at the ITM included B2B meetings, facilitating new tourism partnerships among tour operators, hotels, and travel managers. Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Development of Northeastern Region, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to augmenting infrastructure and enhancing connectivity.
